Residents and businesses in Russell and Lee counties will soon need to adjust how they dial phone numbers as a new area code is introduced across central and southeast Alabama.
A new 483 area code will be added as an overlay to the existing 334 area code, meaning both area codes will serve the same geographic region. The change is designed to ensure a continued supply of phone numbers, as the 334 area code is projected to be exhausted by the third quarter of 2026.
Customers are encouraged to begin using 10-digit dialing ahead of the mandatory transition. A permissive dialing period will begin Jan. 23, 2026, allowing calls to go through whether callers use seven or 10 digits. Mandatory 10-digit dialing will take effect Feb. 23, at which point all local calls will require dialing the area code plus the seven-digit number…