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 </figure><h2>Voluntary practice period begins Saturday</h2>TOPEKA – Kansans who live in area codes 785 or 620 will soon be required to use&nbsp;10-digit&nbsp;dialing when making local calls. This change will make it easier for persons in crisis to reach the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.Last July, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) approved 988 as the new abbreviated number for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. As a result, any area code that uses the 988 prefix in telephone numbers is mandated by the FCC to adopt&nbsp;10-digit&nbsp;dialing.&nbsp; That includes Kansas area codes 785 and 620, which cover the majority of the state. In total, 82 area codes in 36 states will make the change.It will take time to get in the habit of using&nbsp;10-digit&nbsp;dialing (example: 785-XXX-XXXX), so a practice period has been established.&nbsp; Callers are encouraged to begin using&nbsp;10-digit&nbsp;calling on&nbsp;Saturday. Any calls dialed with seven digits will still go through during this practice period.Beginning&nbsp;Oct. 24, callers in 785 and 620 area codes must use&nbsp;10-digit&nbsp;dialing or the call will not go through. The only exceptions are any three&nbsp;digit&nbsp;abbreviated numbers available in the community, such as 911. Callers will still dial 1 + the area code and telephone number for all long distance calls.Beginning&nbsp;July 16, 2022, callers can reach the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline by calling 988. Until then, callers will continue to dial 1-800-273-8255 (TALK).More information about the change to&nbsp;10-digit&nbsp;dialing is included in the below flyer “Ten things to know about&nbsp;10-digit&nbsp;dialing.”&nbsp;Information is also available on the KCC’s website&nbsp;<a href="https://kcc.ks.gov/" target="_blank">https://kcc.ks.gov/</a>&nbsp;and from telephone providers.<figure>
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Ten-digit dialing begins Saturday in Kansas area codes 785, 620