711 Area Code
Telecommunications Relay Service for deaf, hard-of-hearing and speech-disabled callers
The 711 area code is reserved for Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS). It is an N11 code dialed as 7-1-1, not as the leading digits of a regular phone number.
How 711 is used
Callers dial 7-1-1 (three digits, not a full ten-digit number) to reach a state or provincial TRS provider, where a communications assistant relays the conversation between a deaf, hard-of-hearing or speech-disabled user and a hearing party via TTY, captioned telephone, video relay or IP relay. Calls to 711 are free. As an N11 code, the digits 711 are reserved from assignment as the leading digits of any regular telephone number.
- Purpose
- Telecommunications Relay Service for deaf, hard-of-hearing and speech-disabled callers
- Assignee
- FCC (United States) and CRTC (Canada); operated by state/provincial TRS providers
- Dialed as
- 7-1-1
History
Creation: In 1997 the Federal Communications Commission ordered Bell Communications Research, as North American Numbering Plan Administrator, to assign 7-1-1 as the national dialing code for Telecommunications Relay Service. Pennsylvania deployed it first on May 1, 2000, and the FCC's nationwide mandate took effect on October 1, 2001, requiring all wireline, wireless and payphone providers to route 711 to TRS. Canada implemented equivalent 711 TRS access shortly thereafter.
Mnemonics: Prior to 1995, the middle digit of area codes was restricted to 0 or 1, which do not correspond to letters on a phone's dialing pad. Because 711 contains 0 or 1, it has no mnemonic letter equivalent.
Sources: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/7-1-1, www.fcc.gov/consumers/guides/telecommunications-relay-service-trs.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is area code 711 used for?
711 is a special-use area code in the North American Numbering Plan. The 711 area code is reserved for Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS). It is an N11 code dialed as 7-1-1, not as the leading digits of a regular phone number.
Is 711 dialed as a full area code?
No. 711 is an N11 code, meaning callers dial only the three digits 7-1-1 – there is no ten-digit equivalent. The digits 711 are reserved and cannot start any regular phone number.
Who assigns 711 numbers?
FCC (United States) and CRTC (Canada); operated by state/provincial TRS providers
When did area code 711 go into service?
Area code 711 was placed into service on October 1, 2001 (FCC ordered assignment in 1997).