Hoosiers have just under a year to get ready to dial three more digits when placing a phone call.
Starting next year, more Indiana residents will have to dial all 10 digits of a phone number, including the area code.
The Indiana Office of Consumer Counselor says even local calls will have to include all 10 digits beginning Sept. 17, 2016, with a six-month grace period starting March 19. That means local calls can be made with either seven or 10 digits.
The Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission gave final approval this week to the new 463 area code that will overlay the entire 317 area code in the Indianapolis metropolitan area.
That means any new phone numbers given out in the old 317 area will be assigned the 463 area code beginning Oct. 17, 2016.
Both area codes will be in use, necessitating 10-digit dialing for local calls.
The change will not affect 9-1-1 or other three-digit dialing services.