811 Area Code
US: call-before-you-dig utility location. Canada: non-emergency health information.
The 811 area code is reserved for utility-location ('call before you dig') services in the US and non-emergency health information in Canada. It is an N11 code dialed as 8-1-1.
How 811 is used
In the United States, anyone planning to dig, excavate or install posts dials 8-1-1 (three digits, not a full ten-digit number) at least a few business days ahead to have buried utilities marked by their local one-call center. In most Canadian provinces, 8-1-1 instead reaches a registered nurse for non-emergency medical advice. Calls are free in both countries, and as an N11 code its digits are reserved from assignment as the leading digits of any regular telephone number.
- Purpose
- US: call-before-you-dig utility location. Canada: non-emergency health information.
- Assignee
- FCC and the Common Ground Alliance (US); CRTC and provincial health authorities (Canada)
- Dialed as
- 8-1-1
History
Creation: In March 2005 the Federal Communications Commission designated 8-1-1 as the single national call-before-you-dig number for the 71 regional one-call utility-location systems in the United States, fulfilling a mandate of the Pipeline Safety Improvement Act of 2002. It replaced a patchwork of state-specific 800 numbers operated by individual one-call centers. In Canada, 8-1-1 is used by provinces for non-emergency health information lines such as HealthLink BC and Telehealth Ontario — an entirely different purpose from the US assignment.
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 811 contains 0 or 1, it has no mnemonic letter equivalent.
Sources: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/8-1-1_(Canadian_telephone_number), en.wikipedia.org/wiki/8-1-1_(United_States).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is area code 811 used for?
811 is a special-use area code in the North American Numbering Plan. The 811 area code is reserved for utility-location ('call before you dig') services in the US and non-emergency health information in Canada. It is an N11 code dialed as 8-1-1.
Is 811 dialed as a full area code?
No. 811 is an N11 code, meaning callers dial only the three digits 8-1-1 – there is no ten-digit equivalent. The digits 811 are reserved and cannot start any regular phone number.
Who assigns 811 numbers?
FCC and the Common Ground Alliance (US); CRTC and provincial health authorities (Canada)
When did area code 811 go into service?
Area code 811 was placed into service on US: March 2005 (FCC order). Canada: rolled out by provinces from 2003..