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Specify area code rules

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Applies To: Windows Server 2008, Windows Server 2008 R2, Windows Server 7

You can use this procedure to configure rules that determine how phone numbers are dialed from within a specific area code. Area code rules enable you to change the dialing patterns for calls to numbers in the same country or region. The default area code rule for numbers in another area code often requires the program to dial a country code, the area or city code, and then the phone number. For numbers in the same area code, the program dials only the local phone number.

Any user account can be used to complete this procedure.

To specify an area code rule

  1. Click Start, click in the Search text box, and then type TELEPHON.CPL and press ENTER. The Phone and Modem dialog box opens.

  2. In the Phone and Modem dialog box, on the Dialing Rules tab, click the location to modify, and then click Edit.

  3. To create a new location, click New.

  4. Click the Area Code Rules tab, and then perform one of the following options:

    • To add a new area code rule, click New.

    • To edit an existing rule, click the rule and then click Edit.

  5. In Area code, enter the area or city code.

  6. In Prefixes, select one of the following options:

    • To apply the rule to all prefixes in the area code, select the Include all the prefixes within this area code check box.

    • To apply the rule to specific prefixes, select the Include only the prefixes in the list below check box, click Add, enter one or more prefixes, and then click OK.

  7. In Rules, select one or both of the following options:

    • To dial a number before the phone numbers that contain these prefixes, select the Dial check box, and then type the digits to dial.

    • To dial the area code before the phone number, select the Include the area code check box.

Additional considerations

  • You can also access the Phone and Modem Options dialog box from the Properties page of any of your dial-up connections. On the General tab, select the Use dialing rules check box, and then click Dialing Rules.

See Also

Concepts

Change How Windows Dials Phone Numbers
Configure Network Connections