Starting January 20, 2023, local 10-digit dialing will be introduced in New Brunswick. Residents will need to dial 10 digits – the area code followed by the seven-digit phone number – for all local calls. The introduction of 10-digit dialing is the result of a decision by the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) and will pave the way for the addition of a new area code, 428, in April 2023, as the 506 area code reaches capacity.

Starting on April 29, 2023, the area code 428 will be added in New Brunswick and will coexist with the current 506 area code. Customers with telephone numbers with the 506 area code will retain their numbers. Numbers with the new 428 area code will only be assigned to customers when the existing inventory of 506 numbers is depleted.

Since the same phone number can now exist in both area codes, 10-digit local dialing – the area code followed by the seven-digit phone number – is necessary in order for local calls to be connected and reach their destinations.