Phone customers within the 804 area code should begin preparing for the advent of 10-digit dialing for local calls.Beginning April 24, customers with the 804 area code are encouraged to start dialing 10 digits (area code + seven digits) for calls to other 804 telephone numbers, according to Verizon. Since this is just the permissive 10-digit dialing period, if customers forget and dial only seven digits, their calls will be completed.

However, as of Oct. 24, all calls made within area code 804 must be placed using the area code plus the seven-digit telephone number. Seven-digit calls within this area will no longer be completed.

In addition to changing the way you dial local calls, all services, automatic dialing equipment, or other types of equipment that are programmed to complete calls to seven-digit local numbers will need to be reprogrammed to complete calls to 10 digits, including the area code.

Your telephone number, including current area code, will not change. Additi...