Posted on September 25, 2009 by smsgov
A reminder of the need for new toll free area codes: 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. To manage fair distribution of the numbers remaining, federal agencies have cracked down on the illegal sale of 800 numbers and the hoarding, or stockpiling, of numbers and this is helping somewhat. The real solution, many say, is the release of reserved toll free numbers.
Filed under: Information | Tagged: 1-800, toll free hoarding, toll free ration | Leave a comment »
Posted on September 25, 2009 by smsgov
The question of just how many really good toll free numbers remain available for new subscribers continues to circle throughout the telecommunications world. While we don’t have a precise figure, we can say for certain that the well is running dry. Experts advise that anyone interested in a toll free number should consider getting one immediately. There are an average of between 6,000 and 8,000 new toll free numbers registered daily. With a limited number of numerical possibilities, the finite supply could eventually be depleted.
Filed under: Information | Tagged: 1-800, telecommunications, toll free, toll free numbers, tollfree | Leave a comment »
Posted on September 24, 2009 by smsgov
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 see increases in sales, word of mouth referrals and a decrease in product returns. Standard local phone service does not provide any of these advantages.
Read more here.
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Posted on September 24, 2009 by smsgov
As one of the documents intended to provide guidance for DOJ employees explains, triggerfish can be deployed “without the user knowing about it, and without involving the cell phone provider.” That may be significant because the legal rulings requiring law enforcement to meet a high “probable cause” standard before acquiring cell location records have, thus far, pertained to requests for information from providers, pursuant to statutes such as the Communications Assistance for Law Enforcement Act (CALEA) and the Stored Communications Act.
Read more here.
Filed under: Information | Tagged: cell tracking, civil liberties, law, privacy, triggerfish | Leave a comment »
Posted on September 23, 2009 by smsgov
During a recent discussion with members of the Tollfree Advisory Committee, it was agreed that if the database of toll free numbers isn’t beefed up soon, the finite supply of toll free numbers could run out. Last year, a plea for the deactivation of unused 800 numbers resulted in a temporary 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 toll free number each day. It’s time for some action.
Filed under: Information | Tagged: 800 numbers, toll free, toll free number, toll free numbers | Leave a comment »
Posted on September 23, 2009 by smsgov
During a workshop at an upcoming telecommunications conference, members of the Tollfree Advisory Committee at SMSGOV.com will be discussing the scarcity of available, good toll free numbers and how it is causing a surge of subscribers scurrying to obtain toll free. At previous discussions some of the attendees have feared that small businesses nationwide could see disastrous economic fallout. Toll free numbers are proven as an effective marking strategy that increases customer base and boosts revenue. The depletion of supplies are creating much discussion within the industry.
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Posted on September 22, 2009 by smsgov
Once used primarily by big businesses, 800, 888, 877, and 866 toll free numbers are now popular with small businesses, charities, churches, and for personal use. Toll free service has become a staple of all successful businesses. Demand has grown quickly but the supply of numbers has remained stagnant.
Read more here.
Filed under: Information | Tagged: 800 number, 800 numbers, free, toll, toll free, voip | Leave a comment »
Posted on September 22, 2009 by smsgov
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.
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Posted on September 21, 2009 by smsgov
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.
Read more here.
Filed under: Information | Tagged: 866, 866 number, 866 numbers, phone numbers, toll free | Leave a comment »
Posted on September 21, 2009 by smsgov
1-800 numbers are available from large phone companies and from federally approved toll free service providers, Responsible Organizations. These smaller companies have the same access to the database of available phone numbers as AT&T and Verizon. However, service fees and features can vary greatly so the best thing we can do is to advise subscribers to research several toll free providers before signing up.
Filed under: Information | Tagged: 1-800, toll free, toll free number | Leave a comment »