Starting Tuesday, local calls to 423 area code must include 10 digits

Beginning Tuesday, local calls made within the 423 area code will have to be dialed using 10 digits instead of seven. To make a local call, the area code and phone number will have to be entered. That’s because the region was assigned an additional area code, 729, because new phone numbers with the 423-area code were projected to be used by the third quarter of this year. The Tennessee Public Utility Commission says calls using just seven digits will not be completed and will be routed to an automated announcement. The new 729 area code will coexist with the existing 423 code and those who have a number with a 423-area code will keep their existing numbers. New phone numbers with the 729 area code will begin to be issued on September 5.