Phone Changes Coming To Keys

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TALLAHASSEE (CBSMiami/NSF) - Monroe County residents will have to start punching 10 digits when they make local calls this month and will soon get an additional area code.

The Florida Public Service Commission on Tuesday said the 10-digit dialing changes will take effect April 18th. Keys residents will have to dial the area code and the seven-digit phone number to make local calls.

Also, on June 1, telephone numbers with the area code 786 will start being issued in the Keys, joining the traditional 305 area code. Current telephone customers will keep their numbers, but the PSC said the additional area code is needed because of a growing population and increased use of wireless phones.

"Since the Keys are a Florida tourist destination, it's especially important to businesses and their customers that existing telephone numbers will not change," Public Service Commission Chairman Art Graham said in a prepared statement.

The News Service of Florida contributed to this report.