(Northern Indiana) - A new phone dialing procedure eased into effect this past weekend. 

The Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission says callers in northern Indiana now need to include their area code when dialing, even for local calls.  This will effect both the 219 and 574 areas.

Callers are urged to form the habit and change their programmed numbers accordingly.  However, the requirement will not go into effect until October.

The change will not affect call rates. 911 and other 3-digit information numbers will also stay the same.