Starting August 5, residents in Chattanooga and across the 423 area code will be required to use 10-digit dialing for all local calls—even when calling within the same area code. The change is part of a statewide plan to introduce a new area code, 729, to accommodate growing demand for new phone numbers.
The Tennessee Public Utility Commission has approved the 729 area code overlay, which will serve the same geographic region as the existing 423 code. This includes not only Chattanooga but also Bristol, Kingsport, Johnson City, and many surrounding communities in eastern Tennessee.
While current 423 phone numbers will remain the same, the overlay means local calls must now include the area code to go through. Calls dialed using only seven digits after August 5 will not be completed and will play a recorded message instructing the caller to redial using 10 digits…