Google Calendar Supported for Appointment Scheduling.

August 8, 2017

We are pleased to announce that Contact Communications Call Center platform now supports appointment scheduling on your Google Calendar. Contact our sales deptarment for more information.

 

 

Residents and Businesses Prepare for

518 Area Code Overlay

In Eastern Upstate New York

 

Mandatory 10-Digit Dialing Begins August 19, 2017

 

Residential and business customers within the existing 518 area code should be prepared for the introduction of the new 838 area code.  Contact Communications Inc. announced today that beginning September 19, 2017, customers in the 518 area code region requesting new service, an additional line, or in some cases moving their service, may be assigned a number in the new 838 area code.

To ensure a continuing supply of telephone numbers, the New York Public Service Commission ordered an area code overlay for the area served by 518.  The new 838 area code will be “overlaid” or superimposed over the same geographical area as the 518 area code, which covers the eastern upstate portion of New York, serving communities such as Albany, Plattsburgh, Lake Placid, and Saratoga.

 

Since March 18, 2017, customers have been able to place calls within the 518 area code region by dialing the customary 7 digits or by dialing 10 digits (area code + 7 digits).  However, on August 19, 2017, the option to place calls within the 518 area using 7 digits will end, and all calls made within and between area codes 518 and 838 must be placed using the 10-digit telephone number.  If customers forget and dial just 7 digits, then the call will not be completed and the customers will hear an announcement instructing them to hang up and redial using the area code.  On September 19, 2017, the new 838 area code becomes effective, and customers receiving numbers from the 838 area code must dial the area code on every call placed as well.

 

The most important facts that consumers and businesses need to know about the upcoming 838 area code overlay are:

  • Your telephone number, including current area code, will not change.
  • You will need to dial area code + telephone number for all calls within and between the 518 and 838 area codes (518 or 838 plus the 7-digit telephone number.)
  • You will continue to dial 1+ area code + telephone number for all calls to other area codes (outside of 518 and 838).
  • What is now a local call will remain a local call.
  • The price of a call, coverage area, or other rates and services will not change due to the overlay.
  • You can still dial just three digits to reach 911.
  • If 211, 311, 411, 511, 611, 711 or 811 are currently available in your community, you will still dial these codes with just three digits.

 

Customers are reminded to identify their telephone number as a ten digit number (area code + 7-digit telephone number), and include the area code when giving the number to their friends, family, business associates and business customers, etc.

Customers should ensure that all services, automatic dialing equipment, applications, software, or other types of equipment recognize the new 838 area code as a valid area code.  Some examples are: stored telephone numbers in contact lists in wireless phones, PBXs, fax machines, internet dial-up numbers, speed dialers, call forwarding settings, voicemail services, etc.  Medical alert devices, safety alarm security systems and gates, ankle monitors or other similar equipment must be programmed to use 10-digit dialing.  Many systems operate on 10-digit dialing by default, but some older equipment may still use 7-digits.  Please contact your medical alert or security provider if you don’t know whether your equipment needs to be reprogramed to accommodate the upcoming change to 10-digit dialing.  You may also want to check your website, business stationery and advertising materials, printed checks, contact information, and your personal or pet ID tags to ensure the area code is included.  Remember that all calls made within and between area codes 518 and 838 must be programmed using 10-digits, and a “1” must be added before the area code for all calls being placed to other area codes outside of 518 and 838.

For more information, please visit the following websites: http://www.contactcommunications.com or the New York Public Service Commission’s website at http://www.dps.ny.gov/.  Customers with any questions regarding information provided in this release may call Contact Communications at the customer service number on their bill.

New York 518/ 838 Area Code Overlay

All Contact Customers with 518 Area Code Numbers

Must Dial Area Code + Telephone Number

For all Local Calls Beginning August 19th, 2017

Area Code Overlay Approved for Eastern Upstate New York

 

Residents and Businesses Prepare for 518 Area Code Overlay

 

Residential and business customers within the existing 518 area code should be prepared for the introduction of the new 838 area code.  Contact Communications Inc. announced today that beginning September 19, 2017, customers in the 518 area code region requesting new service, an additional line, or in some cases moving their service, may be assigned a number in the new 838 area code.

To ensure a continuing supply of telephone numbers, the new 838 area code will be added to the 518 area code region which covers the eastern upstate portion of New York, serving communities in the capital region of Albany and surrounding areas, such as Plattsburgh, Lake Placid, and Saratoga.  The New York Public Service Commission ordered an Area Code Overlay for the area served by 518.   The new 838 area code will be “overlaid” or superimposed over the same geographical area as the 518 Area Code.

 

Beginning March 18, 2017, customers may place a call within the 518 area code region by dialing the customary 7 digits or by dialing 10 digits (area code + 7 digits).  Beginning August 19, 2017, all calls made within and between area codes 518 and 838 must be placed using the 10 digit telephone number (518 or 838 plus the 7 digit telephone number).

 

The most important facts that consumers and businesses need to know about the upcoming 838 area code overlay are:

  • Your telephone number, including current area code, will not change.
  • You will need to dial area code + telephone number for all calls within and between 518 and 838 area codes (518 or 838 plus the 7 digit telephone number.)
  • You will continue to dial 1 + area code + telephone number for all calls to other area codes (outside of 518 and 838).
  • What is now a local call will remain a local call.
  • The price of a call, coverage area, or other rates and services will not change due to the overlay.
  • You can still dial just three digits to reach 911.
  • If 211, 311, 411, 511, 611, 711 or 811 are currently available in your community, you will still dial these codes with just three digits.

 

Customers should identify their telephone number as a 10 digit number (area code + 7 digit telephone number), and include the area code when giving the number to their friends, family, business associates and business customers, etc.

Customers should ensure that all services, automatic dialing equipment, applications, software, or other types of equipment recognize the new 838 area code as a valid area code.  Some examples are: stored telephone numbers in contact lists in wireless phones, PBXs, fax machines, internet dial-up numbers, speed dialers, call forwarding settings, voicemail services, etc.  Medical alert devices, safety alarm security systems and gates, ankle monitors or other similar equipment must be programmed to use 10 digit dialing.  Many systems operate on 10 digit dialing by default, but some older equipment may still use 7 digits.  Please contact your medical alert or security provider if you don’t know whether your equipment needs to be reprogramed to accommodate the upcoming change to 10 digit dialing.  You may also want to check your website, business stationery and advertising materials, printed checks, contact information, and your personal or pet ID tags to ensure the area code is included.  Remember that all calls made within and between area codes 518 and 838 must be programmed using 10 digits, and a “1” must be added before the area code for all calls being placed to other area codes outside of 518 and 838.

For more information, please visit the following websites: ContactCommunications.com or the New York Public Service Commission’s website at http://www.dps.ny.gov/.  Customers with any questions regarding information provided in this release may call Contact Communications at 1-800-666-8995.

September - 2016 Second Notice

All Customers with a New York 315 Area Code

Must Dial Area Code + Telephone Number

For all Local Calls Beginning February 11, 2017

What is the new dialing procedure?

To complete calls within the 315 area code region, the new dialing procedure requires callers to dial area code + telephonenumber. This means that all calls in the 315 area code that are currently dialed with seven digits will need to be dialed using ten digits, that is, the area code + telephone number. The same dialing procedure will apply to telephone numbers assigned to the new 680 area code.

Who will be affected?

The 315 area code covers the west-central portion of New York serving communities such as Syracuse, Utica and Watertown.  The new 680 area code will serve the same geographic area currently served by the existing 315 area code.

Why is the change necessary?

To ensure a continuing supply of telephone numbers, the 680 area code is being added to the area served by the 315 area code. Since two area codes will now serve the same geographic region, the area code must be used when dialing any telephone number - including calls within the same area code.

Beginning March 11, 2017, new telephone lines or services may be assigned numbers with the new 680 area code.  Callers must also use the new dialing procedure for local calls in the new 680 area code.

When will the change become mandatory?

Beginning February 11, 2017, you must use the new dialing procedure for all local calls.  If you do not use the new dialing procedure, your call will not be completed, and a recording will instruct you to hang up and dial again.

However, all customers should begin using the new dialing procedure before February 11, 2017.

What will you need to do?

In addition to changing your dialing procedures, all services, automatic dialing equipment, or other types of equipment that are programmed to dial a 7-digit number will need to be reprogrammed to use the new dialing procedure.  Some examples are stored telephone numbers in contact lists in wireless phones, PBXs, fax machines, Internet dial-up numbers, speed dialers, call forwarding settings, voicemail services, etc.  Medical alert devices, safety alarm security systems and gates, ankle monitors or other similar equipment must be programmed to use 10-digit dialing.  Many systems operate on 10-digit dialing by default but some older equipment may still use 7 digits.  Please contact your medical alert or security provider if you don’t know whether your equipment needs to be reprogrammed to accommodate the upcoming change to 10-digit dialing.  You may also want to check your website, business stationery and advertising materials, printed checks, contact information, and your personal or pet ID tags to ensure the area code is included.

What will remain the same?

  • Your telephone number, including current area code, will not change.
  • The price of a call, coverage area, or other rates and services will not change due to the overlay.
  • What is a local call now will remain a local call regardless of the number of digits dialed.
  • You will continue to dial 1+ area code + telephone number for all calls to other area codes (outside of 315 and 680).
  • You can still dial just three digits to reach 911.
  • If 211, 311, 411, 511, 611, 711 or 811 are currently available in your community you will still dial these codes with just three digits.

Who may you contact with questions?

If you have any questions regarding information provided in this notice, please call  CONTACT COMMUNICATIONS, INC  at  800-666-8995 for more information.  You can also visit the New York Public Service Commission’s website at http://www.dps.ny.gov/ for further information.

 

March - 2016  - Area Code Overlay Approved for the West-Central Portion of New York    1st Notice

 

Residents and Businesses Prepare for 315 Area Code Overlay

Residential and business customers within the existing (315) area code should be prepared for the introduction of the new 680 area code.  Contact Communications announced today that beginning March 11, 2017, customers in the 315 area code region requesting new service, an additional line, or in some cases moving their service, may be assigned a number in the new 680 area code.

To ensure a continuing supply of telephone numbers, the new 680 area code will be added to the 315 area code region which covers the west-central portion of New York, serving communities such as Syracuse, Utica, and Watertown.  The New York Public Service Commission ordered an Area Code Overlay for the area served by 315.   The new 680 area code will be “overlaid” or superimposed over the same geographical area as the 315 Area Code.

 

Beginning March 12, 2016, customers may place a call within the 315 area code region by dialing the customary 7 digits or by dialing 10 digits (area code + 7 digits).  The option to place calls using 7 digits will end February 10, 2017.  Beginning February 11, 2017, all calls made within and between area codes 315 and 680 must be placed using the 10-digit telephone number (315 or 680 plus the 7-digit telephone number).

 

The most important facts that consumers and businesses need to know about the upcoming 680 area code overlay are:

  • Your telephone number, including current area code, will not change.
  • You will need to dial area code + telephone number for all calls within and between 315 and 680 area codes (315 or 680 plus the 7-digit telephone number.)
  • You will continue to dial 1+ area code + telephone number for all calls to other area codes (outside of 315 and 680).
  • What is now a local call will remain a local call.
  • The price of a call, coverage area, or other rates and services will not change due to the overlay.
  • You can still dial just three digits to reach 911.
  • If 211, 311, 411, 511, 611, 711 or 811 are currently available in your community, you will still dial these codes with just three digits.

 

Customers should identify their telephone number as a ten digit number (area code + 7-digit telephone number), and include the area code when giving the number to their friends, family, business associates and business customers, etc.

Customers should ensure that all services, automatic dialing equipment, applications, software, or other types of equipment recognize the new 680 area code as a valid area code.  Some examples are life safety systems, fax machines, Internet dial-up numbers, alarm and security systems, gates, speed dialers, mobile phone contact lists, call forwarding settings, voicemail services, and similar functions. Customers should be sure to check their business stationery, advertising materials, personal checks, and personal or pet ID tags to ensure the area code is included in their telephone number.  Remember that all calls made within and between area codes 315 and 680 must be programmed using 10-digits, and a “1” must be added for all calls to other area codes (outside of 315 and 680).

For more information, please visit the following websites: (www.contactcommunications.com) or the New York Public Service Commission’s website at http://www.dps.ny.gov/.  Customers with any questions regarding information provided in this release may call Contact Communications at 1-800-666-8995

 

September 19, 2014 Vermont Sales and Administrative Office will have a new location as of 10/27/2014.

We are growing and moving our Sales and Administrative Office from our current location 1150 Airport Drive in South Burlington, VT and will be at our new location 174 Avenue C Williston, VT as of Monday 10/27/2014. Our New Mailing address will be: Contact Communications 142 Avenue C, Williston, VT 05495

July 15, 2014 Secure Message Delivery Service (HIPAA Compliant Messaging) Reminder

Answering Service Clients have the ability to use Contact's Secure Delivery Service "SDS" on their smart phones, tablets and computers. This service includes many convenient advanced messaging features including forwarding, group messaging and a notepad function, all in a HIPAA compliant format. Contact your account representative to get set up today. Click here for more information

June 19, 2014 Brad and our staff at our Plattsburgh, NY Office have a new location.

Our Plattsburgh, NY office will be moving from 334 Cornelia Street to 22 US OVAL Suite 119 (the old Air Force Base next to the Plattsburgh City Court) July 1st  2014. Give us a call if you have any difficulty finding us after the move, our phone number has not changed 518-562-2000.

August 6, 2013 New Android free paging application available

A new Android free paging application is now available for download. The application is called "A1 Pager (lite)" and is an easy to use paging application for your Android phone. This is a simple way to page your Contact Communications Alphanumeric Pagers from your cell phone. Simply install the application and enter the 7 digit Contact Communications internet access number for the pager you wish to page and send your message. The software developer also has an "A1 Pager (Pro) version of the applciation available for $1.99. The pro version adds a few convenient features such as utilizing your contact list and the ability to add a signature line. Your Contact Numeric Pager can also be set up to use this applicaton, call your account representative with any questions. 

 

May 13, 2013 Welcome Valcom and Centrapage of White River Jct, VT Customers

Contact Communications is pleased to announce the acquisition of Valcom and Centrapage Answering Service and paging operations.  We have worked closely with the Valcom and Centrapage staff to ensure a smooth transition. The entire Contact staff is excited for the opportunity to provide you with outstanding service, and will be contacting each of you to ensure your accounts are set up exactly as your needs require. We will also go over some of the many new features that will now be available to you. Should you have any questions or concerns prior to us contacting you, do not hesitate to call us

Welcome to Contact!  Jim Garbelotti, Kathy Paskevich & Lissa Robart  Owners

 

May 2, 2013 New iPhone free paging application.

A new iPhone free paging application is now available. The application is called "iPage" and was developed by AppsOnIce, LLC. This application makes is easy to page your Contact Communications Alphanumeric Pager from your iPhone, iPod, or iPod Touch. Simply install the application and select "Contact Communications" from the paging carrier list. Send pages using your interenet access number in the following format "000-999-XXXX". You can also set up frequently paged numbers in an easy to use contact list. Your Contact Numeric Pager can also be set up to page using this application, call your account representative with any questions.

 

March 27, 2013    New SNPP paging software download including HIPAA compliant encryption option now available.

Contact Communications is pleased to announce an updated version  of our SNPP paging software client version 3.53. This free download includes a HIPAA compliant encryption option as well as the ability to build custom groups, message logging options and a name search feature. This software will work with any Contact Comunications Pager that is set up for interenet paging. Please call our office with any questions that you might have regarding this service.