we have for a long as I've been here area code 704. Now, we have an "overlay" area code 980. What that means is that to call your neighbor you always need to dial 10 digits. I know of no one that actually has the 980 area code.

What's peculiar is that one would think long distance calls could be made by just dialing the 10 digits. But, no! You have to dial 1 first.

With (Verizon) cell phones, the 10 digit long distance calling works fine.

In any case, for years I've disliked the use of parens around the area codes as being wasteful (being they're often bracketed by spaces as well, e.g. (704) 666-1234 ) so my PDA phone numbers look like - 704.666.1234