Charleston, W.V. (AP) -- In three months, West Virginians will need to dial 10 digits even if they're calling an upstairs neighbor, but awareness may be slow to take hold.
Carolyn Barr is a member of the committee guiding the state's transition to two area codes. Barr says a recent check by Verizon on calls routed through Lewisburg, Logan and Parkersburg found 40 percent of callers still dialing seven digits.
Right now, West Virginia callers have the option of dialing seven or 10 digits. But starting March 1, calls won't go through without the area code.
Barr is concerned about older residents, who have programmed security systems or rely on speed dial.
The switch to 10 digits coincides with the addition of the new 681 area code.
(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)
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