Northwestel customers in Iqaluit will soon be dialing 974 when making local calls. The telephone company will introduce a new phone number prefix in Iqaluit on October 1^st.

There are already three prefixes, also known as office codes or NXX numbers, being used in Iqaluit. They are 979, 975 and 222.

Northwestel provides a new prefix in a community when the available numbers begin to be depleted, to ensure that the community does not run out of phone numbers.

"There is a strong growth in telecommunications needs everywhere, including more demand for residential, business and cellular numbers," said Paul Flaherty, Northwestel President and Chief Executive Officer. "We are pleased to make the new prefix available to meet the needs of our customers."

Customers will begin to receive 974 numbers for new lines as they are needed, beginning sometime after October 1st.

Northwestel provides complete telecommunications solutions and entertainment services in the Northwest Territories, Nunavut, Yukon, northern British Columbia and High Level, Alberta. The company’s operations span nearly 4 million square kilometres of the most remote and rugged areas of Canada.