Alabama will soon add 659 to its list of area codes.

Starting in April, part of the western central part of Alabama, including Jefferson County, will be covered by an overlay area code – 659 – in addition to its current 205 code. The addition will not change any current numbers but will mean a alterations to current dialing procedures, according to provider AT&T.

Approved in August, the new three-digit numbers allows for a continuing supply of area codes to the area. The 205 area code generally covers the western central portion of the state, including such communities as Birmingham, Clanton, Hamilton, Jasper, Pell City and Tuscaloosa. That same area will also be served by 659.

The 659 area code will serve new numbers in the central western part of the state.

Change starts in April

During a transition period that starts April 13, callers will need to include the area code of the person they are dialing in addition to the seven-digit telephone number. Calls made during the transition period will still complete, even if the dialer forgets to add the area code. The transition period will end Oct. 12 and callers must use the new dialing procedures – the 205 area code plus seven-digit number or later the 659 code – in order to complete their calls. If they don’t, they will receive a recorded message instructing them to hang up and dial again with the new area code.

The new 659 area code will start being assigned to some telephone numbers and services on Nov. 12.

911, 311 or other three-digit numbers will not be affected. Other services, including fax machines, some life-safety machines that auto dial and security systems may need to be updated, AT&T said. The price of a call, coverage areas or other rates and services will not change due to the overlay and what is a local call now will remain so, according to AT&T.

Alabama used to have one area code - 205 - that was established in 1947. That existed until 1995 when 334 was added to cover the southeast part of the state. The 256 area code for north Alabama was added in 1998, with an overlay of 938 added in 2010, the same year 10-digit dialing began in the area.

The 251 area code for extreme south Alabama was added in 2001.