Carroll County residents whose phone numbers have an 870 area code will have to use 10-digit dialing for all calls after the introduction of the new 327 area code.

Effective Friday, Jan. 19, all local calls made within the Arkansas 870 area code must be placed using 10 digits — the area code plus the seven- digit telephone number — according to a news release from the Arkansas Public Service Commission.

Beginning Feb. 20, new telephone lines or services may be assigned numbers using the new 327 area code.

Some key facts for consumers to know about the upcoming 870/327 area code overlay are:

• Your current telephone number, including area code, will not change;

• If you seek new phone service on and after Feb. 20, you may be assigned a phone number with the 327 area code;

• You will need to dial the area code plus telephone number for all local calls, including calls within the same area code;

• You will continue to dial 1 plus the area code plus the telephone number for all long-distance calls;

• Calls that are now local calls will remain local calls;

• The price of call, coverage area or other rates and services will not change because of the overlay;

• You can still dial just three digits to reach 911 and 988. You can also dial three digits to reach 211, 311, 511, 611, 711 and 811 where available.

Important safety and security equipment, such as medical alert devices, and alarm and security systems must be programmed to use 10-digit dialing. Many systems operate on 10-digit dialing by default, but some older equipment may still use seven digits. Please contact your medical alert or security provider if you are not sure whether your equipment needs to be reprogrammed to accommodate the upcoming change to 10-digit local dialing.