How do I transfer area code and number only over to the HFL without it adding a "1" in front of the area code?

 

Yo, anyone? The area code and number are listed in the Nav, but when I "send" to HFL it adds the "1" in front of the area code. Does that even make a difference with free long distance? ("1" is a long distance code for landlines.)

 

The way MOST cellular systems work is this: If you dial a "1" first, you're calling "from home," but if you don't dial a "1" first, then you're calling from the cell in which you're located. For example, let's say your home is area code 123, and that you're roaming and located in area code 456 (let's also assume, for simplicity, that all calls within an area code are non-toll calls). If you dial home, you'd want to include that leading "1," so that you're calling "from home" to home, and would thus not incur long distance charges. However, if you're calling your hotel or a local restaurant, you'd want to leave off that leading "1" so that you're calling from AC 456 to AC 456, and STILL wouldn't incur long distance charges. Dial "1" when you shouldn't, or forget to dial it when you should, and you'll get charged airtime plus long distance (plus, obviously, roaming charges where appropriate). To make matters even more confusing, you'll incur the long distance charges appropriate for a call from point A to point B, so if you're calling AC 789, you'd theoretically want to find out whether it's cheaper to call there from AC 123 or AC 456, and use that information to determine whether or not to dial the "1".

Confused yet? Well, nowadays, none of that really matters, since most cellular plans include free long distance. On those plans, it makes absolutely no difference whether you dial the "1" or not.