The North American Numbering Plan (NANP) establishes what telephone numbers exist. It would be safe to say that most people know that 9-1-1 will connect callers with police, fire, and ambulance and rescue services. But do you know what the seven other short code numbers stand for?
N11 numbers, or telephone short-codes, provide callers quick and simple access to special services. The shortened numbers eliminate the need for individual area codes and simply route people to the local service based on their location. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) administers the N11 codes. Below is a summary of N11 assignments, and traditional usage:
2-1-1 Community Services
211 was established in 2000 for community information and referral services. Nonprofit organizations such as United Way of America or the local government operates the 211 system. All 50 states have active 211 systems, but not all counties have a destination, like United Way, for 211 calls. Visit http://www.211.org for information about services available in your area. Most TDS communities have established a 211 service.
3-1-1 Municipal government services
Assigned in 1997, 311 provides non-emergency information about municipal services to the public. Examples of calls to 311 include: debris in roadway, graffiti reports, dead animal removal, and potholes. 311 is available in several major cities and an increasing number of counties in the United States.
4-1-1 Directory assistance
411 is unassigned by the FCC but virtually nationwide used by carriers for directory assistance. TDS subscribers can use 411 to call TDS directory assistance or to find information like, an address, do a reverse phone number lookup, get movie listings, sports scores, or even a stock quote. Phil Berry, manager of Product Management – Voice, noted that TDS has two vendors that supply directory assistance service. There is a charge (generally $1.20 per call). For more information, click here.
5-1-1 Traffic information or police non-emergency services
511 became mandatory in the United States in 2007 for road and weather information as the transportation and traffic information telephone hotline. Where available, mobile and landline travelers can dial 511 for information and updates to their location.
6-1-1 Telephone company customer service and repair
Similar to 411 services, 611 is unassigned but in some areas, 611 was used was used to report service or repair troubles to the central office from a subscriber. TDS subscribers will be connected to TDS customer service when they dial 611 as if they dialed 888 call TDS.
7-1-1 TDD and relay services for persons who are hearing impaired
Assigned in 1997, persons who dial 711 will reach a Telephone Relay Service (TRS). The FCC extended the rule to include all VoIP telephones in July 2007. TDS has phone plans designed to work with TRS, and when a profile is set up with the TRS operator, long distance TRS usage can be billed on a TDS bill.
8-1-1 Underground public utility location (United States)
In 2005, 811 was used to coordinate location services for underground public utilities. This safety measure not only helps prevents damage that interrupts telecommunications, but also the cutting of subterranean power lines, water mains and natural gas pipes.
9-1-1 Emergency services (police, fire, ambulance and rescue services)
911 provides single-number access for all emergency services, including police, fire and medical. With TDS service, 911 locations are fixed, which allows for faster emergency response. TDS’ Tim Damos, copy writer, recently wrote a blog for cable markets that explained why it’s important to keep your home phone in an event of an emergency.
FCC proposes Suicide Prevention Hotline change to 3-digit code
The Federal Communication Commission (FCC) unanimously approved a proposal to change the National Suicide Prevention Hotline from a 10-digit 800 number (1-800-273-8255) to a three-digit number 9-8-8. The proposal to assign 988 is now open for public comment, and soon the rulemaking process will begin. The proposal could be implemented in 18 months.
Recognizing the need to make it easier to access potentially life-saving resources, Congress tasked the FCC with analyzing the effectiveness of the current 10-digit National Suicide Prevention Hotline and to examine the feasibility of designating a simple, easy to remember three-digit dialing code.
The FCC settled on 988 instead of an N11 code for the hotline because it determined it would be easier to implement than attempting to repurpose an existing code.
The FCC estimated the total costs of implementing a 3-digit code for the first year would be about $570 million and $175 million in the second year. The costs include a public awareness campaign and the increased call-center capacity costs.
The National Suicide Prevention Hotline was launched in 2005 by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration and Vibrant Emotional Health, a mental health nonprofit.
In 2018, Congress passed the National Suicide Hotline Improvement Act of 2018. In 2017, more than 47,000 Americans died by suicide and more than 1.4 million adults attempted suicide. From 1999 to 2016, suicide increased in 49 of the 50 states, and in more than half of those states, the increase was greater than 20 percent.
Official data released annually by the American Association of Suicidology showed that New Mexico trailed only Montana, Wyoming and Alaska in suicides.
But the state had a 9% increase in 2018 and reached the top of the list with a rate of 25.6 suicides per 100,000 people compared to the national average of 14.8 suicides per 100,000. New Mexico’s 535 suicides in 2018 was its highest number of suicides since the state began consistently keeping track in 1999.
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