Missouri Phone companies Reject rules and regulations

JEFFERSON CITY, MO — Some say a lack of regulation led to much of the mess we’re seeing on wall street, which is why you may be surprised to learn that Missouri phone companies are telling regulators to stay out of their business.

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Businesses Find Refuge In (877) Toll Free Numbers

In the past, 800 and 888 pre-fixes have been the most popular choices of subscribers. Experts say this was due mostly to the lack of public awareness that 877 and 866 were also toll free. But in recent years, this situation has changed. Reports now indicate that the majority of the public recognizes all four pre-fixes as toll free. Business owners are quickly taking advantage of the 877 numbers.

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Verizon Poised To Sell To Frontier Communications

The New York Times is reporting that Verizon has agreed to sell divisions that offer service to 4.8 million phone lines in 14 states to Frontier Communications for $3.3 billion in cash and $5.2 billion in Frontier stock. If it goes through, the deal will triple the size of Frontier, a collection of rural phone companies. As part of the reported deal, Verizon will wind up owning at least two-thirds of Frontier’s shares. The move allows Verizon to concentrate on its wireless business and on serving large companies. The company says that after the deal, only 15 percent of its revenue will come from residential customers.

Supplies Still Dwindling Despite Mass De-Activations of 800 Numbers

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.

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Concern Over Diminishing Supplies of Numbers

Is concern growing about the diminishing stock of 800 numbers? It appears to be. Higher demand for toll free service, especially in this economy, is depleting stocks of good numbers. Studies show that telephone orders can increase up to 60 percent and word of mouth referrals can rise by 200 percent if a toll free number is advertised. These types of statistics bring in thousands of new toll free subscribers every day. And these subscribers want access to a good supply of available numbers.

Now Is The Time To Invest In An 800 Number

More than two-thirds of the available supply of 800, 888, 877, and 866 numbers are taken and millions of new subscribers are registering every year. Business owners who wait much longer to obtain a number might find themselves out of luck. In a competitive market, a toll free number is a valuable commodity for every business.

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FCC Orders Faster Porting

The Federal Communications Commission has voted to mandate landline phone companies to move faster when their subscribers request moving their phone number to a rival service. The commission will require companies to transfer, or “port,” landline phone numbers within one business day. Wireless numbers are typically ported within one day — in some cases within hours — and the FCC has determined that landline companies should move just as quickly.

The FCC wants procedures developed within about three months. The carriers will then have nine months to comply. Smaller carriers will get an extra six months, for a total of about a year and a half before the new rules will be set in motion.

Unused 1-800 Numbers Must Be Released To Ease Demand

When an 800 number is disconnected, it goes into what is referred to as the aging process. At some point it becomes available on the 800 Service Management System (SMS/800) database. Then the race is on to obtain it.

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North Carolina Ends Local Phone Company Oversight

The North Carolina State House has decided to free local telephone service providers from state regulation that for decades made sure the companies justified their prices, responded to consumer complaints and maintained service standards. The House members voted to allow 16 providers to cut loose from the Utilities Commission which sets conditions on rates, terms, and quality of their services.
Supporters said the phone companies need price deregulation because their former monopoly positions have been eroded under competition from wireless, Internet and cable television companies that are not regulated.

855 Numbers Yet To Be Released

To overcome shortages of 1-800 numbers in the past, 888 and 877 were introduced in 1996 and 1998 respectively. Then, in 2000 the 866 numbers debuted. But toll free numbers have become such a valuable commodity that the stock is once again depleted. With an estimated five year wait before another new pre-fix is added, experts advise that obtaining a number immediately is essential.

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