by Doug Ashbury
Northern News Services

NNSL (Oct 20/97) - Frank Hansen owns the luckiest telephone number in Inuvik. But the 777-7777 number cost him $1,350.

Last month, at an auction to raise money for Inuvik's new Midnight Sun Recreation Complex, Hansen, manager of Hansen Petroleum Products Ltd. in Inuvik, outbid Inuvik mayor George Roach for the right to use the new number. Roach wanted the number for a taxi company he has a stake in.

But before the number went on the auction block, the NWT Power Corporation had to donate its 979-7777 number and NorthwesTel had to change the North's area code to 867 from 403 and 819.

Prior to the new area code, Inuvik and Iqaluit shared the same 979 prefix. The new 867 area code, operational across the Yukon and NWT effective tomorrow, meant that had to change.

"We were able to request the 777 for our first three digits," Roach said.

"At the time (the change was announced) there was a concern by merchants that there would be costs associated with the change," Roach said.

The new area code means businesses across the North have to change company signs, advertising and employee business cards.

"Council originally opposed it," Roach said. Some argued Iqaluit should surrender the prefix since many businesses will need new letterhead anyway, come the advent of Nunavut in 1999.

As a goodwill gesture, NorthwesTel donated artwork to the rec centre auction, he added.

Anyone placing a telephone call to Inuvik needs to remember "new new or old old," NorthwesTel director, corporate communications Anne Grainger said.

Dial the North's new area code (867) with the town's new prefix (777) or their old area code (403) with the old prefix (979) to hear the right hello from Inuvik.

Mix it up and a telephone call to the Delta town and might mean hello from someone in Iqaluit or Calgary.

"If you are calling Inuvik and get through to Iqaluit (or Calgary), hang up, call the operator, and ask to have your bill adjusted," Grainger said.

Six-months grace

It was critical for businesses and residents in Inuvik to inform their customers, families and friends who may be dialing into the area, NorthwesTel area code project leader Don Sian said.

On the implementation of the new area code, there's a six-month grace period.

But dial the old code after April 25 and you'll get fooled. Your call won't go through.

The North had shared the 403 code with Alberta and 819 with Quebec's eastern townships and Outaouais area along the Ottawa River. Growth in both these areas led NorthwestTel to move to a new area code for the North.

Telus in Alberta and Bell Quebec will get the numbers back.

Since NorthwesTel applied for a new area code, Alberta has announced it will go to an area code split in 1999.

The new area codes are linked to the explosion of fax machines, cordless cell phones, home business and dedicated Internet lines.

The pivotal year for new area codes was 1995 when long-distance dialing patterns within an area code were changed from seven digits to 10. The move opened up 640 new area codes.

In 1995, in Canada, the United States and the Caribbean, 15 new area codes were introduced because of the growing demand for numbers.

Sian estimated that 20 to 25 new area codes were announced in 1996.

From the Canadian perspective, the North's change follows B.C. and Ontario area code moves.

Next on the list are area code splits for Alberta and Quebec.