Idaho Kicks Off “Permissive Dialing Period” to Teach People How to Dial Their Phones

Permissive Dialing sounds like an excuse you make when calling you ex after one too many glasses of wine...but it means something totally different in Idaho. 

Saturday kicked off what the Public Utilities Commission calls the "permissive dialing period" introducing Idahoans to dialing ten digits while placing a phone call.  It's their way of easing people into the practice that will become mandatory with Idaho adds a second area code next fall.

The new 986 area will be mixed in with 208 across the state, so PUC is encouraging Idahoans to start dialing with the 10-digit method now.  The state will soon run out of 208 phone numbers.

Considering the entire state has been 208 since the 1940s, this could be a big step for some Idahoans.