The New 457 Area Code is Coming to the Louisiana 318 Area Code Region

To ensure new telephone numbers are available, the Louisiana Public Service Commission approved the addition of the new 457 area code to the geographic region served by the 318 area code. This process is known as an area code overlay.

What is an area code overlay?

An overlay is the addition of another area code (457) to the same geographic region as an existing area code (318). An overlay does not require customers to change their existing area code but does require using a new 10-digit dialing procedure to complete local calls.

Who will be affected?

Anyone with a 318 area code will be affected. The 318 area code covers northern Louisiana, serving communities such as Alexandria, Bossier City, Monroe, Ruston and Shreveport, as well as many other smaller communities. The new 457 area code will serve the same geographic region currently served by the existing 318 area code.

What will be the new dialing procedure?

All local calls within the 318 area code that are currently dialed with 7 digits will need to be dialed using 10 digits (area code + 7-digit telephone number). The same dialing procedure will apply to telephone numbers that are assigned in the new 457 area code. 

When will the change begin?

Beginning February 24, 2025, dial 10 digits (area code + 7-digit telephone number) whenever you place a call, including calls within your same area code. If you forget and dial just 7 digits, your call will still be completed.

 

Beginning August 25, 2025, you must dial 10 digits (area code + 7-digit telephone number) for all local calls, including calls within your same area code. On and after this date, if you dial just 7 digits your call will not be completed, and a recording will instruct you to hang up and dial again, including the area code.

 

Beginning September 25, 2025, new telephone lines or services may be assigned numbers with the new 457 area code. If you have a number in the new 457 area code, you must dial 10 digits or the call will not complete.

What will you need to do?

  • Dial 10 digits (area code + telephone number) for local calls.
  • All services, automatic dialing equipment, or other types of equipment that are programmed to dial a 7-digit number will need to be reprogrammed to include the area code between February 24, 2025 and August 25, 2025. Some examples include: life safety systems and medical monitoring devices, fire or burglar alarm and security systems or gates, fax machines, Internet dial-up numbers, contact lists in wireless or mobile phones, speed dialers, call forwarding settings, voicemail services and similar functions, etc.
  • Update your websites, personal and business stationery and checks, advertising materials, personal and pet ID tags and other such items to ensure the area code is included.

What will remain the same?

  • Your telephone number, including current area code.
  • The price of a call, coverage area, or other rates and services will not change due to the overlay.
  • What is a local call now will remain a local call regardless of the number of digits dialed.
  • You can still dial just three digits to reach 911 and 988, as well as 211, 311, 411, 511, 611, 711 or 811 if available in your area.

Who may you contact with questions?

If you have any questions regarding information provided in this notice, please call Metro by T-Mobile at 1-888-8METRO-8 or visit Louisiana Public Service Commission website at https://www.lpsc.louisiana.gov/