Seeley Swan Pathfinder -

Beginning Oct. 24, all local calls in Montana must be dialed with the 406 area code to connect.

Montana’s 406 area code currently allows seven-digit dialing to complete local calls. That will change this month due to a Federal Communications Commission order designating 988 as the new, nationwide, 3-digit number for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.

Some seven-digit phone numbers in Montana’s 406 area code begin with 988. To prevent misdialing the 988 Lifeline, all local calls in Montana must be dialed with the area code.

The 10-digit dialing requirement applies to all area code...