How It Works by Landline Area Codes

Are phone calls to different area codes within Arizona considered long distance calls? Yes and no!

• If you are in the 520 area code, calling any other area code within Arizona is not a local call. You must first dial “1”, and then the area code and the number. It is considered a long distance call.
• If you are in the 928 area code, calling any other area code within Arizona is not a local call. You must first dial “1”, and then the area code and the number. It is considered a long distance call.
• If you are in the 480, 602 or 623 area codes, calling one of those three area codes is considered a local call. Those area codes are all in the Phoenix area. For instance, dialing a phone number with a 623 area code from a phone number with a 602 area code is a local call. You dial the number, including the area code, without dialing “1” first. Calling from any of these three area codes to either 520 or 928 is a long distance call, and you must first dial “1” and then the area code and number. Exception: Calling a 928 area code where the phone number starts with either 252 or 501, for example, 928-252-XXXX or 928-501-XXXX, is a local call from area codes 480, 602 or 623.

Cell Phone Use

These area codes relate only to landlines. Cell phone area codes are not restricted by geography. A person who lives in a home in one city can obtain wireless service with a different area code.