Thirteen years after the federal government rationed the dwindling supply of toll free numbers, reports are circulating that rationing will once again be implemented. Severe shortages of 800 numbers are forcing these extreme measures as a means of protecting the limited remaining supply.
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has a stockpile of new 855 numbers reserved to address the shortage but these numbers are not expected to be released anytime soon. With available 800, 888, 877, and 866 numbers at all all-time low, insiders fear the numbers will run completely dry, hurting business and creating an out-of-control black market.
Experts say that consumers recognize that many of the advantages of 1-800 numbers outweigh standard local phone service. Toll free service is becoming increasingly common with parents wishing to keep in close contact with children and teens. Businesses with a 1-800 number can see almost instant increases in sales, word of mouth referrals, and a decrease in product returns. Standard local phone service does not provide any of these advantages.
Government officials say something must be done to offset the problem—this means a possible rationing program and a tough crackdown on the burgeoning black market. Attempts to profit from the illegal sale of 800, 888, 877 and 866 numbers are in response to rapidly dwindling supplies. As with any commodity in high demand, a black market for toll free numbers has emerged in the United States, sending regulators scrambling to control the illegal sales of valuable 800 numbers.
Available toll free numbers are at an all-time low and experts advise anyone interested in obtaining an 800 number should act now. Thousands of toll free numbers are registered each day and with a limited number of possibilities, the finite supply is nearly expended.
The most expedient way to secure an 800 number is to contact a reliable service provider such as Qwest, AT&T, or Verizon.
Also Read:
26 responses so far ↓
Ralph Cooper // September 15, 2008 at 4:26 pm |
we are all done for
Scott Lopez // September 15, 2008 at 4:31 pm |
is this about normal phone numbers too
William Brown // September 15, 2008 at 4:33 pm |
who exactly is addressing this issue
Bruce Torres // September 15, 2008 at 4:45 pm |
the stock of numbers is almost empty, is that what i am understanding from all this?
George Martin // September 15, 2008 at 5:31 pm |
that is really bad news
Benjamin Ward // September 15, 2008 at 5:35 pm |
I am in the phone industry and I can vouch that lately there have been piratically ZERO 800 numbers available to search for… I have no doubt that services may be lowered in the future
Phillip Patterson // September 15, 2008 at 5:36 pm |
i hate hearing this news
Louis Sanders // September 15, 2008 at 5:40 pm |
booo
Aaron Bennett // September 16, 2008 at 3:52 pm |
Copying from a single source is called plagiarism, copying from multiple source is called research.
Martin Powell // September 16, 2008 at 6:34 pm |
just because you have a number doesn’t mean you’re going to be heard.
Jose Young // September 17, 2008 at 3:24 pm |
Having one child makes you a parent; having two makes you a referee.
Joseph Moore // September 19, 2008 at 5:26 pm |
A conclusion is simply the place where you got tired of thinking.
Albert Rogers // September 21, 2008 at 11:15 am |
Patience is not a virtue, it is a waste of time.
Russell Coleman // September 21, 2008 at 8:09 pm |
Like a welcome summer rain, humor may suddenly cleanse and cool the earth, the air and you.
Robert Williams // September 22, 2008 at 1:38 am |
The wisest mind has something yet to learn.
Jason Lee // September 22, 2008 at 4:12 am |
It’s not that 800 #’s are doomed, it’s long distance calling is doomed. 800 #’s are just a reverse way of paying for a long distance call. Instead of you paying for the call, the person you are calling pays for it.
This is normal anyway, as prices come down and competition it just makes sense that national long distance (within a country) be done away with and the companies focus on other services to make money.
Edward Martinez // September 22, 2008 at 4:15 pm |
If Sallie Mae stops calling me by using #1… I will be lonely cause no one else calls me
I refer to “Sallie” as my girlfriend… God, im pathetic..
Bruce Torres // September 22, 2008 at 5:22 pm |
i tried to call but accidently hit my head with the phone.
Sean Gonzales // September 23, 2008 at 2:26 pm |
If you want truly to understand something, try to change it.
James Smith // September 23, 2008 at 10:57 pm |
I once had to call eBay… what a nightmare. I wish I’d never found their number, as the “service” was so horrible and the experience even worse.
Nonetheless, this is a great resource to have handy – I’ve bookmarked it. Thanks for sharing this info with us.
Albert Rogers // September 24, 2008 at 1:39 am |
If you want truly to understand something, try to change it.
Jesse Flores // September 24, 2008 at 2:04 pm |
I am so clever that sometimes I don’t understand a single word of what I am saying.
Experts Expect Toll-free Phone Number Supply To Be Cut Short « Toll Free Service Management System News // June 8, 2009 at 6:03 am |
[...] Read more here. [...]
Supply of Toll Free Numbers Expected to Be Cut Short « Toll Free Service Management System News // September 10, 2009 at 6:06 am |
[...] Read more here. [...]
Toll Free Shortage Causes Scare, Options Considered « Toll Free Service Management System News // November 25, 2009 at 6:02 am |
[...] more here. Possibly related posts: (automatically generated)877 Numbers A Good Alternative to 800 ShortageFCC [...]
Toll Frees in Short Supply « Toll Free Service Management System News // February 8, 2010 at 6:11 am |
[...] February 8, 2010 · Leave a Comment Government officials say something must be done to offset the problem—this means a possible rationing program and a tough crackdown on the burgeoning black market. Attempts to profit from the illegal sale of 800, 888, 877 and 866 numbers are in response to rapidly dwindling supplies. As with any commodity in high demand, a black market for toll free numbers has emerged in the United States, sending regulators scrambling to control the illegal sales of valuable 800 numbers. Read more about this here. [...]