An additional area code will be used in Jamaica as of May next year.
The new area code is 658. It was implemented as telecommunication companies, Digicel and Flow, will run out of phone numbers within a few years.
Starting May 31, 2018, you will need to dial ten digits when making a call.
Persons who are already using the 876 area code will not need to change their phone numbers, but will need to get accustomed to 10-digit dialing (meaning starting with the area code) as numbers, may only differ by area codes.
This applies for landline and cell phone users.
Person who forget to dial ten digits will have a five month period of “permissive dialing”. This is to allow persons to get accustomed to the new system. Although the call will go through, an automated machine will remind callers to dial all ten digits.
The details were given at an OUR meeting in Ocho Rios Wednesday evening, September 20.
