Residents and businesses across central and southeast Alabama will soon need to change how they dial local phone numbers.

Beginning January 23, 2026, customers in the 334 area code will be required to use 10-digit dialing for all local calls, according to the Alabama Public Service Commission.

The change comes as part of the rollout of a new 483 area code overlay, which is scheduled to take effect February 23, 2026. The additional area code is being introduced to address the rapid depletion of available phone numbers in the 334 region, which officials project will be exhausted by the third quarter of 2026.

Under the new system, callers must dial the area code plus the seven-digit number for all local calls within the region. Calls to three-digit numbers, such as 911, will not be affected.

State officials said customers have already gone through a permissive dialing period designed to help residents adjust to the change before it becomes mandatory.

The 483 overlay will not disrupt existing phone service. Current customers will keep their existing numbers, while new customers or those requesting additional lines may be assigned numbers with the 483 area code once it becomes active.

The 334 area code serves a large portion of Alabama, including Montgomery, Selma, Prattville, Pike Road, Tuskegee, Auburn, Opelika, Phenix City, Eufaula, Dothan, Enterprise, Troy, Greenville and surrounding communities throughout central and southeast Alabama.

The Alabama Public Service Commission approved the 483 area code overlay in March 2024.

Sherri Blevins is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You may contact her at [email protected].