Ten-digit dialing will be mandatory on the North Coast soon, said Bob Valdez, a spokesman for the Oregon Public Utility Commission.

Both seven- and 10-digit dialing are connected currently, but on April 30, 2008, people who dial only seven digits will receive an automated message reminding the caller to dial 10 digits – otherwise the calls won’t go through.

The main reason for the change is that numbers for the 503 area code are almost used up. A Portland 971 overlay went into effect in 1999. The change goes into effect in northwestern Oregon April 27, 2008.

After that date, both 503 and 971 area codes will be available. Valdez said the North Coast is the last part of the 503 area code to receive the overlay.

He said people in the 541 area code will receive an area code overlay in the future.

Next month, the Oregon Public Utilities Commission will host informal open houses in Astoria, Seaside, Tillamook and Pacific City to provide information. Commission staff and phone company employees from Qwest, CenturyTel, Nehalem and Embarq employees will be on hand to answer questions.

All meetings will begin at 6 p.m. and end at 7:30 p.m.

? Astoria: Sept. 5 in the Port of Astoria, at 422 Gateway Ave., Suite 100.

? Seaside: Sept. 6 at the Seaside Civic and Convention Center, at 415 First Ave.

? Tillamook: Sept. 10 in the 9-1-1 Center, at 2311 Third St.

? Pacific City: Sept. 11 in the Kiwanda Community Center, at 34600 Cape Kiwanda Drive.

More information is available at (http://www.puc.state.or.us/PUC/coastdialing.shtml).