Do you have to dial the area code to make local calls when you are outside your area code?
It depends where in the USA or Canada you are located.
In a few places, mostly rural areas, you can still dial a local
call to an adjacent area code with just the 7-digit number.
However, in more and more cases, you must dial either the area code
plus the 7-digit number or 1 + AC + 7d, depending on whether or not
your area has "toll alerting." (Toll alerting means that you must
always dial "one plus" on all toll calls.)
For example, in San Francisco, a toll call to San Rafael
(long-distance, but within the same area code) can be dialed with
just 7 digits, but a local call to Oakland (local, but in a
different area code) must be dialed with 1+AC+7d.
If you are using a cell phone, you may or may not be able to
dial local calls in the area code where you are currently
physically located as just 7 digits; local rules vary from place to
place. However, to prevent confusion, it is best to enter all
numbers on your cell phone with the area code.