Start Dialing those Ten Digits

By Alan Kleinfeld, 9-11-06

Yes, it’s another When-I-Moved-to-Albuquerque story. Sorta.

One of the biggest annoyances of moving back from the east coast was having not to dial 10 digits. That’s right. I missed dialing 10 digits. When asked for my phone number, I’d automatically begin with “five oh five” only to be stopped and asked, “are you outside of Albuquerque?”

Now the area code issue has resurfaced for New Mexico. According to the company that manages the country’s phone numbering plan, Neustar, increased fax, phone and Internet use has the state running out of 505 area code numbers. Soon, some of us will be dialing 575 and some will be dialing 505. And you know what? That’s fine with me.

It’ll happen eventually. Why not put the system in place the first time and just get in the habit now of dialing the area code? It’s in the same vein as having to get used to other Big City necessities such as reversible traffic lanes during rush hour (which may be coming soon to Bernalillo).

The Public Regulation Commission doesn’t really need to decide if it’ll happen or not. At this point, the PRC only needs to establish how it will happen. Come 2009, the 505 area code may no longer be issued.

We have two options as of now. One, give all new numbers the 575 area code, regardless of where someone may be located. The other option is to divide the state into geographic areas giving some parts of the state the old area code and other parts the new one.

Some folks are upset that if we start giving out the 575 to all new numbers that the entire state will have to dial 10 numbers to make a call rather than seven. Boo hoo. There’s no avoiding it. Might as well get used to it sooner rather than later. After all, life is all about change.

Of the two options, I’d pick the geographic one. Those areas with the densest populations (Albuquerque, Las Cruces and Santa Fe) should keep the 505 area code and the rural areas should go to the 575. But in either case, it’s high time Albuquerque grew up and went from seven to 10.

Some businesses say they have equipment that’s not set up to handle 10 digits. It’s high time you update that equipment. That thingamabob you have from 1978 just ain’t going to do it anymore. In case you didn’t get the memo, it’s the 21st century. You’ll have to do it anyway. Someday. Soon.

I’ve heard it voiced that only seven states left in the country don’t have 10-digit dialing. Albuquerque’s been lucky it hasn’t happened sooner. Population wise, we’re the 33rd largest city in the country based on population according to www.infoplease.com and the US Census Bureau ranks Albuquerque the 38th largest city in the country (http://www.census.gov/). So either way you slice it, we’re playing with the big boys. Do we want to be the only pee-wee on the playground not dialing all the big boy numbers?

One could argue that dialing the extra three numbers will cause soreness and undo wear on our fingers. I can see it now. People will begin to sue Qwest, claiming Finger Dialitis. Youngsters will whine, “I can’t dial any more. Help me, mom!” Tony Little will come out with an entire line of finger exercise equipment to keep you in your best dialing condition. All for $19.99, plus shipping and handling.

If the Forbes Magazine ranking of Albuquerque as the number one place in the country to do business holds water (which is yet to be seen) then the need to dial 10 digits is going to be upon us sooner rather than later. Best to start doing those fingers exercises now.
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