In late April 2014, ISD will begin transitioning UNC Hospitals’ and clinics landline phone numbers beginning with 919-966-, 919-843-, 919-445-, 919-962-, 919-595-, and 919-957- to new 10-digit phone numbers using the Triangle’s new “984” area code. During this year-long project, ISD also will upgrade our physical phone sets to Cisco Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOIP) technology.
In late April 2014, ISD will begin transitioning UNC Hospitals’ and clinics landline phone numbers beginning with 919-966-, 919-843-, 919-445-, 919-962-, 919-595-, and 919-957- to new 10-digit phone numbers using the Triangle’s new “984” area code. During this year-long project, ISD also will upgrade our physical phone sets to Cisco Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOIP) technology.
Background
For many years, UNC Hospitals purchased phone service through the University. Now, as the University moves to their own VOIP phone service, UNC Hospitals must transition to new phone lines and new phone numbers with the new “984” area code designated for the Triangle.
Our new numbers will be in the “984-974-XXXX” range. The “984” area code overlays the exact geographic area that “919” does. It is not a long distance number and will not generate long distance charges if dialed from within the traditional “919” area. Calls to any number in the “984” range can be ten-digit dialed just like any other local number. Users do not need to add a “1” prior to “984”.
The transition has already begun, with several departments receiving the new phone numbers, including the Epic@UNC Help Desk at 984-974-4357.
Telecommunications is developing a protocol to work with Printing, ISD, Public Affairs & Marketing, and other related areas to help share our new phone numbers through business cards, websites, appointment reminders, signage, and other necessary areas.
The conversion to new numbers will be completed by early 2015.
What happens after a number is changed?
Once a phone number is changed to its new “984” number, Telecommunications will forward the “919” number to the “984” number for a specified time and place a message on the previous “919” number to inform callers that, “This number is no longer in service. The new phone number is “984-974-XXXX.” This message will run for at least six months after the “984” transition.
Fax lines and main department/clinic numbers will be forwarded for an extended period of time to give departments a chance to publicize their new main number. There will be more detail as we meet with each department. Departments will have at least a three week notice prior to making the conversion in their area.
What you can do to prepare for this transition
We recommend that everyone begin using 10-digit dialing immediately, since 10-digit dialing will be required once numbers begin to transition to the “984” area code.
The University is also changing systems and we also are required to use 10-digit dialing to reach many University colleagues. Please also include 10 digits when leaving a voicemail message, paging someone, or sending an email.
Thank you for your support of ISD and our Telecommunications team as they begin this huge project!