Numbering 101-Lesson #5

What is a 10-digit number?

1-Some of you have expressed confusion as to what a 10-digit number is in the eyes of the FCC. A regular phone number has 10 digits; for example, (201) 213-1212 has 10 numbers, and that is 10 digits if you count how many numbers.

2-Is your 10-digit number a valid or good one? If you have not registered the number, then it is not valid and will not work after November 12th. Your videophone provider should have automatically given you a 10 digit number if you got your videophone after January 1, 2009.

3-What if you got your videophone before January 1, 2009, and you have not heard from your videophone provider, it is recommended that you contact them to be sure your 10-digit number is valid. If you have heard from your videophone provider and they provided you with a new number and you have given your name and address to the provider, you should be in good hands. If you want to be sure, you should call your videophone provider to be sure.

4-How do you know who/where to contact your videophone provider? Go to their website and look for “contact us”–usually there is an email or a phone number for you to call their customer service department. After you call, they should be able to verify if your number is registered.

5-Is a 800, 866, 877, 888 a valid 10-digit number? If you have just a 800 number and do not have a local number, it is most likely that you do not have a registered 10-digit number. In this case, you should call your videophone company to register for a new local number.

Dr. Z is here to help you. We want you to communicate happily ever after!