6-1-1


For customers of some telephone companies in Canada and in the U.S., 6-1-1 is the abbreviated dialing telephone number used to report a problem with telephone service, or with a payphone. It is an N11 code of the North American Numbering Plan that are used for special services.

Background

While 6-1-1 was in use to call repair service in some areas from as early as the 1930s, other codes were also used, the most common being 114. A decision to standardize on 6-1-1 nationwide was made in the 1960s, but the use of 114 was still widespread in the 1970s, and into the 1980s in some areas.
In some localities, 6-1-1 was used to report problems with landline telephone service. 8-1-1 was used to report problems with cellular telephone service but this has since been discontinued.

Current Usage

Many landline and mobile phone providers support 6-1-1. Some providers who supply other services, such as Internet or cable television, support these other services with 6-1-1.

Assignment

The 6-1-1 number is not officially assigned by the United States Federal Communications Commission or the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission, but both have chosen not to disturb the assignment as it is generally recognized across the North American Numbering Plan Administration.