Phone Snag Fixed in Laguna Niguel

A technical glitch interrupted phone service in parts of Laguna Niguel, Cox Communications officials said Friday. The problem started late Thursday night, when Cox technicians were attempting to switch the area code from 714 to 949 for a series of local numbers. About 100 numbers that start with the 388 prefix failed to be recognized, officials said. The lines could not receive outside calls. Some customers also could not dial out, the company said. “There was a problem with the software,” said Cox spokesman Mark Stucky. Telecommunications experts say the problem is fairly common when phone companies attempt to change area codes. Cox began offering local phone service in Orange County last September.