As of Apr. 9, a new area code is in effect across the province.

Due to the continuing popularity of telecommunication services the existing area codes: 403, 587, and 780 couldn't cover Alberta's needs, so 825 is being introduced.

Dealer Principal at Big Rock Communications Glenn Kiddle says Okotokians won't experience the change quite yet, though.

"The 403 and the 587, which we are used to here now, will continue and just as we have more and more people in the area that need phone numbers and more and more cell phones we are going to have to start using the 825 number as well."

Kiddle says because the 403 area code is still being recycled and the 587 area code is still available, it will put off the need for the latest number.

"Like right now if you came in to the store and wanted a new phone number, every day we have a few 403 phone numbers that someone is no longer using and they get recycled back into the system. So the 403s and the 587s will continue in the same way and then eventually we will have the 825 area code on top of it."

Kiddle says if you want a 403 number, your chances are better if you come into the store earlier because they are the preferred area code.

For more information on the new area code visit the Telus site.

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