Phone numbers for the Tulalip Tribes government and Quil Ceda Village, including some retail stores, will change in January, when the tribes begin using a new prefix, 716.

What will change?

The Tulalip Tribes have been using phone numbers with 651 and 654 prefixes, just like residents and businesses throughout Marysville. Now, phone numbers for the Tulalip Tribes will change to the prefix of 716. Some phone numbers will keep the same last four digits, but most numbers will change entirely.

Will any numbers stay the same?

Just one phone number will stay the same. The Tulalip Police Department will keep the number, 360-651-4608.

What about Quil Ceda Village?

As the economic arm of the Tulalip Tribes, the Quil Ceda Village offices will change to the new 716 prefix. Stores within Quil Ceda Village aren’t required to purchase telephone service through Tulalip Broadband, but those stores that have Tulalip Broadband service will receive a new phone number.

When will the numbers change?

The new phone numbers will become active at the beginning of January. The old numbers will still work in January and February, and automatically connect callers to the new numbers. In March, callers who dial the old number will receive a recorded message listing the new number. The old numbers will be phased out by the end of March.

Why change now?

The Tulalip Tribes owns a cable company, Tulalip Broadband, and is now able to service its own telephones. Response time for repair services are expected to be faster because the company is a branch of the Tulalip government, not an outside source. Also, numbers with 651 and 654 prefixes were nearly all used. With the new prefix, the Tulalip Tribes will be able to continue growing and creating more phone numbers.

Will this impact people who live on the Tulalip Reservation?

No. Private residents will not be affected by the change, unless they choose to get phone service through Tulalip Broadband.

What does this mean for the Tulalip Tribes?

The new prefix, which will operate under Tulalip Broadband, is another step toward self-sufficiency for the Tulalip Tribes.

Source: Mytyl Hernandez, marketing coordinator for the Tulalip Tribes