REGION - Citizens Communications customers within the 914 area code in New York will be in a new 845 area code for long-distance dialing beginning June 5.

Customers will be able to dial the new 845 area code or the existing 914 area code during a six-month transitional dialing period starting June 5. On December 4, 2000 mandatory dialing of the 845 area code will go into effect and callers will receive a recording that asks them to re-dial, using the correct area code.

Dramatic growth in the demand for new telephone numbers used for telecommunications services such as fax machines, pagers, cellular telephones, second telephone lines, voice mail and computer modems, have created the need to add an area code in New York.

The North American Numbering Plan Administration monitors area code usage. As an area code nears maximum usage, a plan for a new area code is recommended. The existing 914 area code will serve the Westchester County area. Customers in Rockland, Putnam, Orange, Dutchess, Ulster, Sullivan, Delaware, Greene and Columbia Counties, who are currently in the 914 area code, will be assigned the new 845 area code.

This will not result in any additional charges for the customer. The new area code also will not change 911 service or local service rates.