Why do I keep getting "you must first dial a 1.." even when I dial local numbers? Could this be why? 10 pts

Question

I live in central Maryland, and the area code is 301, but I found a mobile home on a website in the farthest southern region of Maryland and was thinking about trying to get into it, so I was looking for a job in that area. But whenever I call numbers for any businesses in that area I keep getting "you must first dial a 1..." even though the numbers are still 301 numbers. And I can't dial a 1 on this phone because I am on a college campus and they don't have "long distance" available. Likewise, when not here I have to stay with my grandma, and she does not have free long distance, so if I was to call from her phone it may show up on the phone bill as being long distance. So I just want to know why I keep getting "you must first dial a 1.." when I try to call numbers in that area even though they are still 301numbers. Are they long distance or not? Because if they are then why do they still have 301? And if they are not then why would I keep getting "you must first dial a 1"?

Answer 1

Try this.  If you are both in area code 301, don't dial the 301, just the seven digit number.  That would make it a local call and not long distance.  Might work.

Answer 2

If you are prompted to dial "1" before the area code, then I'm quite sure it will be a long distance charge.

Calls within a given area code are not necessarily free - just depends on the service area of your phone provider.  A town can be 30 miles away or more and still be in same area code, but your provider may classify it as long distance.  Check you phone book white pages - the free calling area is often defined in front of white pages phone book.

It is becoming common practice now for many major cities to require using area codes when dialing local calls - even if calling your next door neighbor.  But in those cases, it is not long distance and the "1" country code prefix is not required.  If it is long distance in same area code, I'm quite sure you will be required to dial the "1" before area code.