Verizon Encourages Erving, Mass. Customers to Contact Company to Obtain New Phone Numbers

ERVING, Mass. - Verizon recommends that residence and business customers in the town of Erving contact the company before March 16 to get their new phone numbers.

On March 16 all phone numbers in Erving will change when the entire town converts to the 413 area code. The change, which will give everyone phone numbers in the same area code, was set in motion by a 1997 town petition. Erving's 600 phones lines are currently divided between Millers Falls in the 413 area code and Orange in 978. The municipality is the only one in Massachusetts with two codes.

New phone numbers are needed so that Erving has two unique exchanges in the 413 area code. Exchanges are the first three digits of the seven-digit phone number.

Customers in the current 659 Millers Falls exchange will get a phone number beginning with the new Erving 423 exchange. Customers in the current 544 Orange exchange will get a phone number in the 413 area code with the new 422 Erving exchange.

Customers whose area code changes from 978 to 413 also may need to consider changes to their local, regional toll, and long-distance services. Changes will only be necessary if service is not available in the 413 area code from a customer's current local, regional toll or long-distance provider.

"We are glad to finally put all Erving customers in one area code," said Michael Pequignot, Verizon regional public-affairs director. "We will make the change as easy as possible. Our representatives are ready to answer questions and discuss options when customers call us for their new phone numbers."

Erving residence customers should call their Verizon business office at 1-800-870-9999. Business customers should call 1-800-216-3032.

Verizon also is calling customers and sending letters about the change. Customers who do not talk with the company before March 16 will be assigned a new phone number by Verizon and will be notified of the number by mail.

Verizon Communications

Verizon Communications (NYSE:VZ) is one of the world's leading providers of communications services. Verizon companies are the largest providers of wireline and wireless communications in the United States, with 135.8 million access line equivalents and 32.5 million Verizon Wireless customers. Verizon is also the largest directory publisher in the world. With more than $67 billion in annual revenues and 229,500 employees, Verizon's global presence extends to 33 countries in the Americas, Europe, Asia and the Pacific. For more information on Verizon, visit www.verizon.com.

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