A major advertising campaign is to be launched to remind people to prepare for a change in the area code for Bermuda.

From October 1, the code for those dialling into the Island from abroad will change from 809 to 441 to increase the number of lines available.

Mr. Eugene Saunders, assistant general manager of the Bermuda Telephone Company, said preparations were well in hand as far as the company was concerned.

He added: "Up to September we will be running adverts to bring the change to people's attention and get them to prepare for it, remind them to change business cards and letter heads for example.'' All telephone companies around the world have been notified of the change being introduced because of the demand on the number of lines caused by increases in cellular phones and pagers.

Bermuda also shares the 809 code with other Caribbean countries and is part of the North American numbering system which is being put under strain as the population increases.

Mr. Saunders added: "We have carried out a review of the telephone systems in Bermuda to make sure there will be no problems and I don't anticipate any hitches on the day.'' Although the number changes from midnight on October 1, the old exchange will operate for another 12 months running alongside the new code.