THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, April 18, 1995 TAG: 9504180273
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B3 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: STAFF REPORT
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: Short : 35 lines
The city is switching to a new $1.8 million telephone system, and most city departments, from Public Works to Codes Administration, have new numbers.
But not to worry. The old phone numbers will continue to work for a few months.
If you dial an old number, you will either be transferred to the correct line or receive a message giving the new number. In addition, customers can call a new general information number, 664-4000, for help.
The AT&T phone system, chosen in a competitive bidding process, uses the latest technology, city officials say.
It allows for different offices to share more lines, and for more individuals to have separate lines.
The system is designed to reduce the chance that callers will get a busy signal.
The system also will allow the city to put in a voice-mail system.
Pam Staggs, manager of the city's technical support bureau, said she knows that voice-mail can irritate many people. She said a person, not a tape recording, will be the public's first contact.
The prefix for most City Hall numbers will now be 664 instead of 441. The last four digits of most phone numbers will change as well.
The city plans to distribute the new telephone numbers in a variety of ways, including an insert with public utility bills. by CNB