Interesting Horserider...I tried suggesting the phone modem as an possible issue....you never said if you are using a landline or cell phone. I have used the 7 digit number in my area code here in SoCal. I think if the an area code you are calling is required, you get notified when you dial...also a 1 must precede if it is a totally different area code. But in your case, when others call they don't connect? What happens, do they get a busy or a message? Try calling yourself from a cell or another line to see how it bounces.
I use both actually. That is how I found out that someone has to use the area code plus my number. I called my landline which is Cox. Got the call can not completed at this time. Hung up and then tried again with the area code and the phone rang.
