Get a Local Number with a 986 Area Code

Establish your local presence with our available 986 area codes.

Are you considering expanding your business in Idaho? Get the perfect 986 phone number and use it with our world-class virtual phone system.

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Exploring the 986 Area Code

The 986 area code, introduced as a statewide overlay in Idaho, marks a significant milestone in the state’s telecommunications history. It serves as a testament to the rapid growth and evolution of communication infrastructure, accommodating the expanding population and technological advancements in the region. With the implementation of the 986 area code, Idahoans gained access to additional phone numbers while preserving the familiarity of their existing ones, ensuring a seamless transition in a digital age where connectivity is paramount.

Exploring the 986 area code unveils a narrative of adaptability and innovation within Idaho’s telecommunications landscape. It reflects the state’s proactive approach to meeting the increasing demands of modern communication networks. As Idaho continues to embrace technological progress and economic development, the 986 area code symbolizes resilience and readiness for future growth and connectivity challenges.

Cities and Counties Served

The 986 area code, as a statewide overlay in Idaho, serves a diverse range of cities and counties across the state. Some of the prominent cities covered by the 986 area code include Boise, the capital city, which serves as the economic and cultural hub of Idaho. Other major cities such as Nampa, Meridian, Idaho Falls, and Pocatello also fall under the coverage of the 986 area code. These cities contribute significantly to Idaho’s economy and population growth, showcasing the importance of efficient communication infrastructure in supporting their development.

In addition to the major cities, the 986 area code extends its coverage to various counties throughout Idaho. Counties like Ada, Canyon, Bonneville, Bannock, and Kootenai, among others, benefit from the telecommunications services provided by the 986 area code. The wide geographic coverage ensures that both urban centers and rural communities in Idaho have access to reliable communication networks, fostering connectivity and facilitating social and economic interactions across the state.

Time zone of the 986 area code

Phone numbers assigned to the 986 area code correspond to the Mountain Daylight Time (MDT) zone during daylight saving time. MDT typically lags seven hours behind Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) or Greenwich Mean Time (GMT). Conversely, outside of daylight saving time, the 986 area code adheres to Mountain Standard Time (MST), which usually stands eight hours behind UTC/GMT.

Understanding the time zones associated with these codes during specific periods of the year is advisable for effective communication with your customers.


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Benefits of a 986 Phone Number for Business

A 986 phone number offers numerous benefits for businesses operating in the region. Some of these benefits include:

  • Providing a local presence

  • Enabling cost efficiency

  • Enhancing customer relations

  • Taking advantage of features provided by a 986 virtual number, such as business text messaging, business voice calling, call forwarding, and virtual voicemail

By having a local 986 phone number, businesses can foster trust and credibility among their clients and customers in the region. Moreover, it can improve cold calling performance, as potential customers are more likely to answer calls from local numbers.

Local Presence

Local Presence

A 986 area code phone number allows you to:

  • Establish a local presence in Idaho without the need for a physical office

  • Display a local phone number on your website or business card

  • Increase the likelihood that potential customers perceive your business as trustworthy and reliable.

This local presence can help you attract a larger customer base and ultimately increase your business’s success in the region.

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Cost Savings

Utilizing a virtual phone system with a 986 area code number can help your business save on costs. Instead of setting up a physical office, you can maintain a local presence through a virtual phone system, which eliminates the need for expensive on-site hardware and maintenance costs.

As a result, you can allocate more resources to other aspects of your business and further improve your operations.


Enhance your cold calling performance

Enhance your cold calling performance

A 986 area code number can significantly boost your cold calling performance. Potential customers are more likely to answer calls from local numbers, thereby increasing the likelihood of connecting with them.

This local touch can result in better outcomes for your cold calling campaigns, leading to higher conversion rates and improved customer relations.

Hide your personal phone number

Hide your personal phone number

Protecting your personal phone number is essential, and a 986 area code number can help you achieve this. By using a separate business number, you can keep your personal phone number confidential and only share your business number with clients and customers.

This not only maintains your privacy but also adds a layer of professionalism to your business communication.


Advertise your business in Idaho

Advertise your business in Idaho

Having a 986 area code number can help you promote your business in Idaho by providing a local presence. By including the 986 number in your advertising materials, website, and business cards, you can attract local customers and differentiate yourself from competitors.

This targeted marketing approach can lead to higher brand visibility and better engagement with your Idaho clientele.

Get closer to your Idaho clientele

Get closer to your Idaho clientele

A 986 area code number can help you establish a stronger bond with your Idaho clientele. By using a local phone number with specific area codes, you increase your accessibility, making it easier for clients to contact you.

This can lead to better communication, enhanced trust, and ultimately, improved customer satisfaction.

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  • Modern Business Voice

    Business calling with your desktop, browser, & smartphones

    Our virtual phone system gives you the ability to make & receive calls from any desktop, browser, or smartphone.

    With Talkroute, you have the power of an enterprise level phone system without having to purchase or maintain any special equipment.

    Download our apps to begin making business calls from your PC & smartphone today.

    Make and receive business calls
  • Join the Conversation

    Send & receive text messages from your business numbers

    Gain an advantage over your competition — about 61% of businesses still don’t use SMS:

    85% of customers prefer receiving text messages over a phone call or email.

    68% of consumers would prefer to use text messaging to contact a company with questions.

    53% of clients say they feel more positive toward a brand that responds to text messages.

    Sign up for Talkroute & begin texting with your customers today.

    Text with your customers
  • Video Meetings

    The best way to bring your team together

    Video conferencing with up to 100 team & guest participants.

    Additionally, Talkroute Meetings gives you the power to record meeting sessions, share your screen, chat via team messenger, collaborate using our whiteboard, & share files.

    Sign up for Talkroute & start your first meeting today!

    Video Meetings
  • Voicemail Made Simple

    Check voicemail by email, browser, & apps

    Never miss a voicemail — Enable email, mobile, & desktop app notifications when receiving a new voice message.

    Customize your voicemail greetings & assign separate mailboxes to your team members, departments, & phone numbers.

    Our mailboxes can be added or removed at anytime & provide unlimited storage capacity.

    Easy to manage voicemail
  • Take Control of Your Phone System

    Easily customize your account settings

    Talkroute gives you the power to customize every aspect of your virtual phone service.

    Now you can easily adjust your call routing, customize greetings, edit schedules, and much more in a matter of seconds!

    Try Talkroute today and see why we are considered to be the most flexible phone solution available.

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Why Buy 986 Numbers from Talkroute?

Talkroute offers numerous advantages for businesses looking to acquire a 986 area code number. These advantages include:

  • Quick and easy setup

  • Secure and reliable virtual phone service

  • Excellent customer support

  • A variety of available phone numbers to choose from

Have a virtual phone system up and running in minutes

With Talkroute, you can have a virtual phone system up and running in just a few minutes. This quick and easy setup allows you to start using your 986 area code number for business communication almost immediately.

As a result, you can begin enjoying the benefits of having a local presence in Idaho without any unnecessary delays, thanks to our efficient arrival communications.

Secure and reliable

Talkroute is highly regarded for its security and reliability, boasting a high uptime rate of 99.98%. By choosing Talkroute, you can ensure dependable communication for your business, with customer reviews praising the company’s dedication to protecting personal information and maintaining a secure service.


High-quality service at low costs

Talkroute offers high-quality service at affordable prices, making it an ideal choice for businesses of all sizes. By operating as a cloud-based virtual phone system, Talkroute eliminates the need for expensive on-site hardware and maintenance costs.

Furthermore, their efficient call routing capabilities ensure clear and uninterrupted communication for your business.

Access to game-changing features

By choosing Talkroute, you gain access to a range of advanced features that can enhance your business communication efforts. Some of these features include:

  • Business text messaging

  • Call forwarding

  • Virtual voicemail

  • User extensions

Talkroute provides a comprehensive suite of features to help you optimize your business phone system.


A variety of phone numbers available

Talkroute offers a wide selection of phone numbers, allowing you to choose the one that best suits your business needs. By having a variety of phone numbers available, you can customize your phone number to match your brand and cater to your target audience, ultimately helping you connect with more customers.

Having the right phone number can make a big difference in how customers perceive your business.

Get US based support whenever you need it

When you choose Talkroute, you can rest assured knowing that you will receive US-based customer support whenever you need assistance.

Whether you have questions about setting up your 986 area code number or need help troubleshooting an issue, Talkroute’s dedicated support team is always available to provide prompt and efficient assistance.



What are the Features of 986 Virtual Number?

A 986 virtual number is more than just a local phone number. It comes packed with a range of features designed to enhance your business communication efforts.

Business Text Messaging

Business Text Messaging

With a 986 virtual number, you can:

  • Send and receive business text messages to communicate with your clients and customers in a convenient and efficient manner

  • Offer an additional channel of communication to cater to the preferences of your clientele

  • Ensure that you never miss an important message

Text messaging is a great way to stay in touch with your customers and provide them with the immediacy and convenience they expect in today’s fast-paced digital world.

Business Voice

Business Voice

Make and receive voice calls using your 986 area code number, ensuring that your business communication is always professional and consistent.

This feature allows you to maintain a local presence in Idaho, even if your business is located elsewhere, ultimately helping you build trust and credibility with your clients.


Call Forwarding

Call Forwarding

Call forwarding is an essential feature for any business, and with a 986 virtual number, you can easily forward calls to multiple devices or numbers with ease. This ensures that you never miss an important call and can promptly respond to customer inquiries.

Menus and User Extensions

Menus and User Extensions

With a 986 virtual number, you can set up menus and user extensions to efficiently route incoming calls to the appropriate department or person within your organization.

This feature not only improves the overall quality of service but also ensures that your customers always reach the right person.


Desktop, Web, and Mobile apps

Desktop, Web, and Mobile apps

Access your virtual phone system through desktop, web, and mobile apps, ensuring that you can always stay connected and manage your business communication from any device.

This flexibility allows you to provide excellent customer service, even when you’re on the go.

Call Recording

Call Recording

Record calls for quality assurance and training purposes with your 986 virtual number. By capturing incoming and outgoing calls, you can ensure that your team is providing the best possible service to your clients and customers.

Use the recorded calls to identify areas for improvement.


Custom Greetings

Custom Greetings

Our customizable greeting feature enhances your 986 phone number. It allows users to create personalized and professional messages, aligning with their brand identity. For businesses, this means reinforcing their image as customer-centric and organized.

Moreover, a customizable greeting allows users to convey essential information promptly. Whether it’s sharing office hours, directing callers to the appropriate department, or simply offering a warm welcome, the flexibility to customize greetings ensures that callers receive relevant and informative messages. This can significantly enhance the overall customer experience, reducing frustration and ensuring that inquiries are directed efficiently.

Virtual Voicemail

Virtual Voicemail

Receive voicemail messages in both audio and text formats with your 986 virtual number. This feature allows you to efficiently manage your voicemail messages and ensures that you never miss an important message from a client or customer.

No more worrying about missing important messages. With 986 virtual numbers, you can receive voice messages via both our apps and email.



How to Transfer Your Existing 986 Phone Number to Talkroute?

If you already have a 986 phone number, you might be wondering how challenging it is to transfer it to Talkroute’s virtual phone system. Well, we have good news! The process of porting a number to Talkroute is remarkably straightforward and, best of all, it’s completely free of charge.

  • First, sign up for Talkroute if you don’t already have an existing account.

  • Next, you will want to choose the “keep existing” number option during registration. If you already have an account, you can skip this part.

  • The next step is to submit a port request to our porting department.

  • While you wait for your request to be completed, you will be able to setup and test your Talkroute account. During this time, be sure not to cancel or make any changes to your contract with your current provider.

  • That’s it! Now you can use your existing number with Talkroute.

Practical Uses for 986 Area Code Numbers

There are numerous practical applications for 986 area code numbers, ranging from direct phone lines to marketing campaigns. By utilizing these numbers, businesses can enjoy the benefits of a local presence, cost savings, and improved customer relations.

Direct phone line

Direct phone line

A 986 area code number can be used as a direct phone line for your business, providing a separate line of communication for your clients and customers. This dedicated line ensures that your business communication remains professional and consistent, thereby improving your overall customer service.

Additionally, having a dedicated 986 number allows you to effectively track and manage your incoming calls. You can enable call forwarding, voicemail, and other features that enhance your ability to respond promptly to customer needs. This level of efficiency not only elevates your customer service but also helps streamline your internal operations.

Customer service number

Customer service number

Setting up a dedicated customer service number with a 986 area code allows you to provide prompt and efficient support to your clients and customers. By having a separate line for customer service, you can ensure that your customers always receive the help they need, ultimately improving their overall experience with your business.

This can be beneficial for both your customers and your business. Customers will appreciate the convenience of having a dedicated line for inquiries, making it easier for them to reach out and get assistance when needed. For your business, it means better organization and prioritization of customer-related communications, leading to improved satisfaction and loyalty. Moreover, it can help streamline internal processes, making your customer service team more efficient in addressing inquiries and resolving issues.


Sales number

Sales number

Create a separate sales number with a 986 area code to track leads and conversions. By having a dedicated line for sales, you can monitor your sales performance and identify areas for improvement, ultimately helping you grow your business.

This will give you a better understanding of how your sales efforts are performing and allow you to optimize your sales strategies. You’ll be able to assess which marketing campaigns are driving the most leads and conversions, enabling you to allocate resources more effectively. Additionally, it provides valuable data for training and coaching your sales team, ensuring they are equipped to convert leads into satisfied customers. Ultimately, having a dedicated sales number with a 986 area code can be a game-changer in enhancing your business’s growth and success.

Marketing campaigns

Marketing campaigns

Utilize your 986 area code number for targeted marketing campaigns in Idaho. By incorporating a local number in your marketing materials, you can appeal to a local audience and increase your brand visibility in the region.

Targeted marketing campaigns can be a great way to reach potential customers in the 986 area, as it fosters a sense of trust and familiarity with your business. Furthermore, the use of a local number enhances the chances of your marketing materials resonating with your target audience, leading to higher engagement and conversion rates. Whether you’re promoting products, services, or events, having a local 986 area code number can be a strategic advantage for reaching and connecting with your Idaho audience.


Promote Your Local Business with a 986 Area Code

Promoting your local business with a 986 area code can significantly enhance your visibility and credibility among Idaho residents. By adopting a local area code, you establish a sense of community and trust with potential customers, as they recognize your business as a part of their local landscape. With the growth of mobile communication, consumers often prefer businesses with local numbers, as they perceive them to be more accessible and responsive to their needs.

Having a 986 area code also allows your business to tap into the thriving economy of Idaho. As the state experiences population growth and economic development, there’s a growing demand for goods and services across various sectors. By aligning your business with the local area code, you position yourself to better serve the needs of Idaho residents and capitalize on the opportunities presented by the state’s dynamic market.

Furthermore, a 986 area code enables your business to establish a stronger presence in the Idaho market, both online and offline. Local consumers are more likely to trust and engage with businesses that reflect their own community. By prominently displaying your 986 area code on marketing materials, websites, and advertisements, you signal to potential customers that you are invested in serving the Idaho community and are readily available to meet their needs. This localized approach can help your business stand out in a competitive landscape and build long-term relationships with customers throughout Idaho.


Key Considerations Regarding the 986 Area Code

Is the 986 area code toll-free?

No, the 986 area code is not toll-free, which means callers will incur charges when reaching out to you. However, if you’re in need of a toll-free number or any vanity numbers, Talkroute can offer you suitable options for your business.

Is a physical Idaho address required to obtain a 986 area code phone number?

No, there’s no need for a physical Idaho address to acquire and effectively utilize one of these phone numbers. The flexibility of VoIP service providers allows you to use a 986 area code for your business phone, regardless of your geographical location.

How can I place calls to 986 numbers?

Dialing a local number is a straightforward process and is no different from dialing any other type of phone number. Ensure that you enter all eleven digits accurately, press the call button, and wait to be connected. It’s that easy!


The History of the 986 Area Code

The history of the 986 area code in Idaho reflects the state’s evolving telecommunications landscape and the increasing demand for telephone numbers due to population growth and technological advancements. Prior to the introduction of the 986 area code, Idaho primarily relied on the 208 area code, which served the entire state. As Idaho’s population grew and telecommunications technology advanced, the existing area code became insufficient to meet the increasing demand for telephone numbers.

In response to projections of exhaust in the numbering pool of the 208 area code, the Idaho Public Utilities Commission (IPUC) initiated measures to delay the exhaustion and explore alternatives to address the looming shortage. The implementation of number pooling in Boise in 2002 and later statewide in 2007 helped alleviate the immediate pressure on the numbering resources. However, with continued population growth and the proliferation of communication devices, it became evident that a long-term solution was needed to ensure an adequate supply of telephone numbers for Idaho residents and businesses.

The introduction of the 986 area code as a statewide overlay in Idaho marked a significant milestone in the state’s telecommunications history. Approved by the Idaho PUC in 2015 and implemented in 2016, the addition of the 986 area code provided a sustainable solution to the growing demand for telephone numbers while avoiding the disruption associated with an area code split. The introduction of the 986 area code allowed Idahoans to retain their existing phone numbers while accommodating new subscribers with a fresh supply of numbers. This history underscores the importance of proactive planning and collaboration among telecommunications authorities to meet the evolving needs of Idaho’s residents and businesses in the digital age.


Establish Your Presence in Idaho with a Local Business Number in the 986 Area Code

Talkroute offers you the well-recognized 986 country code, instilling trust in your customers when they see your business phone number. This trust factor can increase the likelihood of your calls being accepted, ultimately enhancing your customer interactions.

Whether you’re operating a small local business or a larger company in Idaho, Talkroute has the perfect virtual number solution to elevate your business. Experience the service firsthand with a one-week free trial today!


Frequently Asked Questions


Any phone numbers you acquire from Talkroute are your property. This grants you the freedom to utilize them in the manner that best suits your business needs. While you also have the option to transfer your number to another provider, we sincerely believe that you’ll discover no better service than Talkroute.

Local phone numbers represent a specific region, city or state which is identified by their 3 digit area code. Local phone numbers are a great way to establish a local presence within a community whether you have a physical presence there or not.

Yes, with Talkroute we include free phone numbers with all of our plans and additional numbers may be purchased as needed. You may add as many phone numbers to your Talkroute account as required.

During the registration process, Talkroute will prompt you to choose a toll-free or local phone number. You may search available options by area code, city, state and zip code. Once you have finished activating your account, your new number will be ready for use!

Yes. We are happy to port your existing 986 phone number to Talkroute. We will even cover the porting fees to transfer your numbers!

Phone numbers starting with 986 are located in Idaho and cover a wide geographical area spanning both urban centers and rural communities across the state. As a statewide overlay, the 986 area code encompasses regions such as Boise, the state capital, as well as areas in Southern Idaho and Coeur d’Alene. It serves a diverse range of communities, including those along the Snake River, the mountainous terrain of the Sawtooth National Recreation Area, and the agricultural heartlands of the Snake River Plain. With its introduction, the 986 area code ensures that Idahoans from all walks of life have access to reliable telecommunications services, facilitating communication and connectivity throughout the Gem State.


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