Toll Free 866 Phone Numbers In High Demand

Posted on August 11, 2008 by smsgov

With 800 numbers becoming more and more difficult to obtain, the toll free 866 numbers are rising in popularity and fast becoming one of the most requested toll free numbers.

866 numbers are the newest toll free numbers, released by the Federal Communications Commission in 2000 to address the shortage of 800, 888, and 877 numbers. Once consumers began to recognize the 866 pre-fix as toll free, the value of 866 soared. Recent studies indicate that 9 out of 10 consumers recognize 866 as a toll free number. The 866 numbers are more popular then ever before, increasing in demand every day.

But insiders warn that just like 800, 888, and 877, the 866 numbers are in short supply. A nationwide demand for toll free service has caused supplies of the limited available phone numbers to plummet.

Toll free 800 numbers were introduced in 1967. Two decades later, when most of the 7 million possible numbers were taken, the 888 pre-fix debuted. It took just two years for that supply to run out. With the popularity of toll free service soaring and supplies dropping, the FCC then launched 877 in 1998 followed soon after by 866. While insiders initially worried that consumers would not recognize 877 and 866 as toll free, these numbers have steadily grown in popularity.

The FCC has reserved 855 numbers for future use. But according to SMS/800, the reserved 855 pre-fix, intended to restore the rapidly decreasing stock of numbers, may not be released for several years. In fact, industry insiders say 855 might not be introduced until 2011.

Experts recommend that anyone wishing to obtain a, 866 toll free number secure one immediately. With a limited number of toll free possibilities, the finite numerical supply is nearly expended. Companies like AT&T and Verizon can quickly secure a number for any subscriber, then offer low rates, a variety of services and reliable fiber optic connections.

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