A recent plea for the deactivation of unused 800 numbers resulted in a surge of numbers returned to the main database. But despite these mass replacements, the supply of available toll free numbers continues to dwindle as thousands of subscribers register for a 1- 800 number each day.
According to the Federal Communications Commission, toll free service is increasing in popularity because it enables callers to reach businesses, organizations, and non-profits without having to pay for the call. This marketing tool has been so successful that the available supply of 800, 888, 877, and 866 numbers are plummeting while demand is growing at unprecedented rates.
The popularity of the 1-800 number, introduced in the late 1960s, led the FCC to add the new pre-fixes 888 and 877 in the mid-1990s. When availability of those numbers became scarce in 2000, the 866 pre-fix was added to overcome the shortage. Now, eight years later, the stockpile is once again low despite the recent mass deactivation of unused 800 numbers.
When an 800 number is disconnected, it eventually becomes available on the 800 Service Management System, (SMS/800) database. These retired numbers are in great demand and the competition to secure released numbers is fierce.
Industry insiders are recommending that anyone wishing to obtain a toll free number secure one immediately. Thousands of toll free numbers are registered each day. With a limited number of possibilities, the finite supply is nearly expended. Toll free numbers are assigned by entities called Responsible Organizations, toll free service providers who have access to the SMS/800 database of available numbers.
Advisors say the most effective and affordable way to obtain a toll free number before supplies runs out is to contact a reliable toll free service provider.
Filed under: Information, Uncategorized | Tagged: 800, 800 number, 800 numbers, toll free |
Toll Free Service Management System News 
good point
My biz couldn\’t survive without my toll free. Glad I got mine early!
I\’m going to get my toll-free NOW. Thanks for the info!
So, where\’s the best place to get a toll-free-phone-number?
800 is the best but I\’ve found nice numbers using 888 too.
good point
good point
good point
I\’ve been to a few places to get some prices but I\’m lost. Anyone know what I should be paying for service or rates?
good point
good point
nice
Speaking of financial institutions, State Farm Insurance/Bank has been using a voice authentication for about 2 years now. Their system has you repeat about 8 numbers back to it before you can use the telephone teller. I can honestly say that I have had less problems with their system than any other voice recognition/speaker recognition system.
Anything similar for the uk?
Why is abbreviation such a long word ?
Now all we need is a connection to the computer standard to!
I must agree. . . I don’t mind pdf, but the acrobat plugin’s at work don’t work, and then they won’t close right, so I have to reboot. I can’t install a good plugin and have no choice. PDF is fine so I know to view it at home, just please post a WARNING that it’s pdf so it doesn’t mess up my computers at work unknowingly…
The hardest thing in the world to understand is the laws
Nothing shows a man’s character more than what he laughs at.
The wisest mind has something yet to learn.
Toll free numbers have a number of features which make them different from standard 1+ switched numbers. All toll free numbers are registered with the national SMS database. Not to be confused with “Short Message Service” on cell phones, the SMS database keeps track of ownership of a toll free numbers via RespOrg (Responsible Organization), and routing of toll free numbers, including time of day routing, area of service routing, and the ability to route toll free numbers across multiple carriers for rudundantcy purposes. At the carrier level, toll free numbers may be pointed to either a customer’s trunk group or to a POTS number.
Toll free numbers cannot be slammed, the only way to change carrier on a toll free number is to write a letter of authorization to the RespOrg to release the number back to the national SMS database.
In short, toll free numbers are industrial strength telecom. They’re not going anywhere until someone can build an infrastructure which offers the same or better guaranteed reliability.
reynold’s site is 400% better
Remember that time is money.
A smile is the lighting system of the face, the cooling system of the head and the heating system of the heart.
I thought the tin foil hat was good enough
Thats awesum! Now I’ve just gotta think of a freefone number to call…
Why is abbreviation such a long word ?
Sports do not build character. They reveal it.
interesting article. much appreciated
Life becomes useless and insipid when we have no longer either friends or enemies.
I thought the tin foil hat was good enough
Speaking of financial institutions, State Farm Insurance/Bank has been using a voice authentication for about 2 years now. Their system has you repeat about 8 numbers back to it before you can use the telephone teller. I can honestly say that I have had less problems with their system than any other voice recognition/speaker recognition system.
Ah yes. Another flashback of my youth. Making free phone calls etc.
The xboxes and playstations only rob kids of these experiences.
Well it’s an interesting idea, but I would not trust my freedom to a line trick if your worried about a phone tape. Use an encrypted phone link.
The standard encryption in your digital cell phone does not qualify. As a matter of fact a cell phone is one of the worse things you could use for “Private” conversation. Not only can some one automatically route a copy of your call to another receiving party. They know within 100 feet where you are this is without your phone having A GPS chip. If your phone is GPS enabled “they” can know your location down to 10 feet.
Never put off until tomorrow what you can avoid all together.
He who can, does. He who can’t, teaches.
The wisest mind has something yet to learn.
it’s a pity, advertisements say that 0800 numbers are free and when you start to use you realize that it’s not! And nobody told you before that if you call from mobile, you have to pay, from skype – to pay… it’s not fair!
Nice, now we need a toll free number that forwards to other numbers in the US!
lovely
A conclusion is simply the place where you got tired of thinking.
So…lets all call the RIAA free 800# and then report minor piracy reports. Like things that can never be proven.
Example: A friend of mine, I think he might have downloaded a copyrighted song at some point. His name? Tom Smith. I don’t know where he lives or anything. No I don’t know his phone number.
Imagine them getting 20,000 of those calls.
OR
Is this weight watchers? No? Sorry wrong number.
How do you use the free service
very good
My name is Werner Brandes, my voice is my passport. Verify me.
Hey, at least you are getting better than normal customer service.
It’s good to be clever, but not to show it.
When godaddy first listed their phone number i was like… OMG its not 800!!! then i thought.. Via cell phone it’s alllll the same.
A wise man does not need advice and a fool won’t take it.
The chief danger in life is that you may take too many precautions.
Winners never quit and quitters never win.
just because you have a number doesn’t mean you’re going to be heard.
If you don’t know where you’re going how do you expect to get there ?
Hey, at least you are getting better than normal customer service.
Be of use, but don’t be used.
my number 1. my debt collectors have been calling me alot lately
Phone call for Al…Al Coholic…is there an Al Coholic here?
Wait a minute…
Listen, you little yellow-bellied rat jackass, if I ever find out who you are, I’m gonna kill you!
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