MatiGlobal Home Page
       
New Mexico 505/575 Area Code Split.

What You Should Know

SERVING TRIBAL, COMMERCIAL AND RESIDENTIAL
TELECOMMUNICATIONS NEEDS SINCE 2000

General Information
  1. What’s happening to New Mexico area codes?
  2. What is an area code split?
  3. Why is an area code split necessary?
  4. Who will receive the new 575 area code?
  5. When will the change begin?
  6. What happens if I forget to dial the new area code?
  7. How do I use the new area code?
  8. Will the change affect my telephone number?
  9. Will the change affect my service?
  10. What will remain the same?
  11. Who is responsible for any costs that might be incurred?
  12. Where can I get more information?
  13. When and how will my area code change to 575?
  14. What is my area code change date?
  1. What’s happening to New Mexico area codes?
    On October 7, 2007, the state of New Mexico was split into two area codes – 505 and 575. The northwest region of the state kept the current area code (505), and the southern and eastern portion of the state received a new area code (575).  View the map of the New Mexico area code split.

    Mandatory use of the new 575 area code begins October 5, 2008. After this date, if you do not use the correct area code, your call will not be completed and a recording will instruct you to hang up and dial again.

    Local calls within your area code will continue to be dialed with 7-digit dialing; local calls from one area code to another area code will require 10-digit dialing – the area code plus the 7-digit phone number. Remember to use the new 575 area code as needed.
    Back to top
  2. What is an area code split?
    An area code split happens when a single area code serving a geographic region is divided in two. One half of the region keeps the current area code and the other receives a new area code. Customers in the region receiving the new area code keep their seven-digit phone number – only their area code changes.
    Back to top
  3. Why is an area code split necessary?
    The state of New Mexico is running out of telephone numbers due to growth in state residents and a combination of new technologies and increased demand for regular telephone lines in homes and offices, cellular and PCS phones, pagers, and lines used for fax machines, internet access and other uses. Plus, there’s a limit to the amount of telephone numbers in an area code that can be allocated to the telecommunications providers. As a result, the New Mexico Public Regulation Commission added the 575 area code to the state to meet the demand for additional telephone numbers.
    Back to top
  4. Who will receive the new 575 area code?
    By order of the New Mexico Public Regulation Commission, all phone numbers in the southern and eastern portions of the state received the new 575 area code, and those in the northwest region will keep the current 505 area code. This change applied to landline and wireless service, as well as other communications services.

    The southern and eastern portions of the state include:
    • Alamogordo
    • Carlsbad
    • Clovis
    • Deming
    • Hobbs
    • Las Cruces
    • Penasco
    • Roswell
    • Raton
    • Silver City
    • Taos
    The northwestern region of the state include:
    • Albuquerque
    • Espanola
    • Farmington
    • Gallup
    • Las Vegas
    • Santa Fe
    • Shiprock
    • most of the Navajo Nation
    Review the full list of telephone number prefixes that must change to the 575 area code.
    Back to top
  5. When will the change begin?
    The new 575 area code was added to the state of New Mexico on October 7, 2007. You could begin using the new area code as of that date. Mandatory use of the 575 area code begins October 5, 2008. After this date, if you do not use the correct area code, your call will not be completed and a recording will instruct you to hang up and dial again.
    Back to top
  6. What happens if I forget to dial the new area code?
    The new 575 area code change was effective October 7, 2007. For nearly a year afterward, however, callers will be able to use either the new or old area code to complete their calls. This period is called a “permissive dialing” period. Starting October 5, 2008 all calls must be dialed using the correct area code or the call will not be completed.
    Back to top
  7. How do I use the new area code?
    All calls within your area code can still be dialed with just the seven-digit telephone number. Calls between the 505 and 575 area codes will require 10-digits – the area code plus the seven-digit telephone number.

    The X's represent
    the numbers you
    are dialing

      If you're calling from the 575 area code 

    To call 505

     Dial: (505) XXX-XXXX

    To call 575

     Dial: XXX-XXXX

    If you're calling from the 505 area code

    To call 505

     Dial: XXX-XXXX

     To call 575

     Dial: (575) XXX-XXXX


    The area code change will not affect your rates, calling plan or coverage area. What is a local call will remain a local call; although you may need to dial an area code. You will also still dial just three digits to reach 911, 611, 411, and other three digit numbers that may be available in your community.
    Back to top
  8. Will the change affect my telephone number?
    Your seven-digit telephone number will not be affected. Your area code will change only if you are in the southern and eastern portions of the state of New Mexico.
    Back to top
  9. Will the change affect my service?
    No. The area code change will not affect your rates, calling plan, or coverage area. What is a local call today will remain a local call; although you will need to dial the area code and the seven-digit phone number to complete a local call to a different area code.

    You will still dial just three digits to reach 911, 611, 411, and other abbreviated dial numbers that may be available in your community.
    Back to top
  10. What will remain the same?
    • Your seven digit telephone number.
    • Your rates and coverage area.
    •  What used to be a local call will remain a local call, although you may need to dial an area code.
    • Dialing 911, 611, 411 and other abbreviated dial numbers that may be available in your community.
    Back to top
  11. Who is responsible for any costs that might be incurred?
    Because the area code change is the result of normal growth in the state of New Mexico, any costs incurred for updating customer owned systems and revising printed materials will be the responsibility of the individual telephone customer.
    Back to top
  12. Where can I get more information?
    Please contact the New Mexico Public Regulation Commission:
    • Website 
    • Phone: (888) 427-5772
    • In Writing:
      • New Mexico Public Regulation Commission
        1120 Paseo De Peralta
        PO Box 1269
        Santa Fe, NM 87501
  13. When and how will my area code change to 575?
    Mescalero Apache Telecom, Inc. will be changing the area code for affected customers in July 2008 -- the day after their July bill date.
    Back to top
  14. What is my area code change date?
    The area code change date is the day MATI will change your area code from 505 to 575 in our systems.
    Back to top