MEC's phone number area code has changed to 360 - [360 574-1100. But read on!
This is the first area code in the United States that doesn't have a "1" or a "0" as its second digit. All of the existing area codes having either a "1" or a "0" as their second digit are in use. Many office phone systems are programed to look for a "1" or "0" in the second digit location and when they don't find it, it will not allow the user to proceed further. If you can't reach us using that area code, it will be for one of two reasons.
Many office phone systems are programmed to look for a "1" or "0" in the second digit location and when they don't find it, they will not allow the caller to proceed further.
If you get a message such as, "We're sorry, your call cannot be completed as dialed. Please check the number and dial again," it will most likely be your long distance carrier which has not reprogrammed their terminal software. Check with your long distance carrier to ensure its network will accept the new area code.
If it is your office system, be prepared to spend a significant amount of money having it changed. Some systems will cost more than $10,000.
Area code 360 covers western Washington excluding the Seattle area where the 206 area code is retained. But there are some 18 other areas of the United States which will be adopting new area codes that also contain a number other than "1" or "0" as the second digit in the area code.
One way to get through when your phone system won't handle the new area code is to place the call through the operator. But the inconvenience will grow as more and more areas change over to accommodate the increased number of users for computers and fax machines. We look forward to hearing from you.
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