New 471 area code coming to North Mississippi this month
If you’re a phone user in north Mississippi and are used to seeing the 662 area code when you dial, get ready to see a new area code at the end of the month.
The Mississippi Public Service Commission (PSC) announced that the new 471 area code will officially launch on Jan. 30. This “area code overlay” is designed to ensure a continuing supply of telephone numbers for the growing region.
The new code will cover the same geographic footprint currently served by the 662 area code, including major hubs such as Southaven, Tupelo, Oxford, Starkville, Columbus, and Greenville.
What This Means for Residents
Current residents and businesses will not have to change their existing phone numbers. However, the PSC highlights several key points for the transition:
- No Number Changes: If you currently have a 662 number, you keep it.
- Mandatory 10-Digit Dialing: Residents are already accustomed to dialing the area code for local calls; this practice remains mandatory for both 662 and 471 numbers.
- New Assignments: Starting Jan. 30, anyone requesting a new line or moving service may be assigned a 471 area code.
- Rates and Services: The price of calls and local coverage areas will remain unchanged. Emergency services like 911 and 988 will still be reached via three-digit dialing.
Preparing for the 471 Overlay
While the transition is expected to be seamless for most, the PSC recommends that business owners and residents audit their automated equipment. Any device programmed to dial or recognize phone numbers should be checked to ensure it accepts the 471 prefix.
Important items to update include:
- Life safety systems: Medical alert devices, ankle monitors, and security alarms.
- Business materials: Stationery, checks, advertising, and websites.
- Database entries: Pet ID tags, speed dialers, and contact lists.
For more information regarding the transition, residents can visit the Mississippi Public Service Commission website at psc.ms.gov/psc/areacode.
