Mandatory 10-digit dialing goes into effect for the 757 area code April 9. That means all local calls made in the 757 area code must be dialed using a 10-digit number (three-digit area code and seven-digit phone number).

The change comes because the inventory of available 757 numbers is expected to run out. The State Corporation Commission approved an overlay, which is the addition of another area code (948) to the same geographic region served by an existing area code (757).

No existing 757 numbers will change. At Newport News Shipbuilding, internal five-digit dialing will remain in place. Internal emergency numbers (*911 and 380-2222) also will remain the same. However, shipbuilders who call the emergency number from an external line such as a mobile phone will need to dial 757-380-2222.