10-digit dialing now in effect

Oct. 26, 2021

If you're on campus and making an off-campus call, you must dial 8 instead of 9. Otherwise your call might be routed to 9-1-1. 

Telephone dialing has changed in Alaska, including on UA campuses. This change affects all landline and cell phone calls.

All local, off-campus calls now require the three-digit area code plus the usual seven-digit phone number, for a total of 10 digits. 

On-campus, internal calls require seven digits, instead of the previous four digits. 

Using the UAF phone system, you need to dial differently!

  • Dial 8 instead of 9 to get an outside line for external, off-campus calls.
  • Include 907 for all in-state telephone calls
  • For on-campus, internal calls, use the full seven-digit telephone number instead of just four digits.

Confused? You can just dial all phone numbers from the UAF phones system as long distance and the phone system will adjust accordingly.

  • Example: 8+1+907-555-1212 will be dialed correctly by the UAF telephone system.

Other considerations: Please think about what services your department manages that depend on telephone dialing. For example, review and change:

  • Call-forwarding settings (Directions on how to set your call-forward)
  • All published contact info should include the seven-digit phone number instead of the four-digit campus extension.
  • Phone contact lists
  • Fax machines
  • Preprogrammed speed dials
  • Automatic dialers (e.g., fax machine)
  • Voicemail services and other similar functions
  • Fire or burglar alarm and security systems or gates
  • Life-safety systems or medical monitoring devices

Why is this change happening?

In 2020 the Federal Communications Commission approved 988 as the three-digit direct dial code to reach the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. The new 988 hotline number overlaps with Alaska’s previous seven-digit dialing plan, as the 988 prefix was also in use in many Alaska phone numbers. Nationwide telephone line customers are modifying their local dialing so that callers can more easily reach the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline using the 988 prefix. Be advised that until then, dialing 800-273-TALK (8255) is the number to reach the Lifeline.

For questions about the dialing procedure change, visit the Regulatory Commission of Alaska website. 

As always, your local IT service desk is here to help answer any questions. For more information, check the 10-digit dialing transition FAQ, visit the OIT service desk, or submit a telephone support request.