Posted on October 6, 2009 by smsgov
Word of potential rationing of toll free numbers has been floating through the gossip mill lately. Rationing of toll free numbers is not a new concept. After 800 numbers ran dry in 1995 the federal government rationed numbers until the 888 numbers were launched a year later. Toll free service is essential for every business trying to get a competitive edge in tis economy. Insiders are concerned that if the existing available 800 numbers are rationed, some businesses could lose a viable marketing strategy.
Filed under: Information | Tagged: 1 800 numbers, 1-800, 800 numbers, toll free, toll free ration | Leave a comment »
Posted on October 6, 2009 by smsgov
Supplies of 800 numbers are decreasing while demand is growing. According to the Federal Communications Commissions, toll free service is a valuable commodity for businesses and popularity is consistently on the rise. The availability of toll free numbers is plummeting yet there are no immediate plans by the FCC to overcome the shortage by launching the reserved 855 numbers
Read more here.
Filed under: Information | Tagged: 800 numbers, 855 number, 866, 877, 877 number, 877 numbers, 888 | Leave a comment »
Posted on October 5, 2009 by smsgov
Verizon Communications Inc. has told Comcast Corp. that its Verizon-bashing “Don’t Fall for FiOS” advertisements are false and asked the cable giant to fix them in a “cease and desist” letter. Among other advertising claims, Comcast says that a comparable triple-play bundle of TV, phone and Internet service from Verizon can cost $400 more a year, after promotions expire, than one from Comcast. Meanwhile, Comcast faces heightened competition from Verizon and AT&T Inc., which are investing billions of dollars into new equipment to deliver TV and Internet along with their phone service in Comcast’s core markets. Verizon or AT&T compete in about 25 percent of Comcast’s franchise areas.
Filed under: Information | Tagged: Comcast, phone service, telecommunications, verizon | Leave a comment »
Posted on October 5, 2009 by smsgov
Due to the ongoing scarcity of 800 area code phone numbers, recent reports are indicating that phone companies are beginning to raise the cost to obtain 800 numbers.
Many providers are expected to follow suit.
Also Read:
The Toll Free Ration Bill
Proposed Ration Bil
800 Numbers Running Low
Filed under: Information | Tagged: 1 800 numbers, 1-800, 800, 800 number, 800 numbers, 800 service | Leave a comment »
Posted on October 4, 2009 by smsgov
This seems to be a hot topic these days. Under rules established in 1997 by the FCC, toll-free service providers cannot reserve a toll-free number without having an actual toll-free subscriber for whom the number is being reserved. By law, available numbers must be doled out on a first-come, first served basis off the main database maintained by the 800 Service Management System (SMS/800). Hoarding numbers is likewise illegal. A subscriber may not acquire more toll-free numbers than they intend to use. By FCC definition, “hoarding” also includes “brokering” which is the illegal lease or sale of toll-free numbers for a fee.
Filed under: Information | Tagged: 1-800, 800 numbers, fcc, toll free brokering, toll free practices | Leave a comment »
Posted on October 4, 2009 by smsgov
What happens if regulators discover illegal hoarding or sales of toll free numbers. If the FCC discovers illegal hoarding, they immediately send out disconnect and suspend letters to the owner of the numbers. Additionally, the brokering of toll free numbers can result in hefty fines. Remember, last year, an astounding daily fine of $11,000 was reportedly imposed on a California company accused of improperly using toll free numbers.
Filed under: Information | Tagged: fcc law, toll free hoarding | Leave a comment »
Posted on October 3, 2009 by smsgov
SMSGOV.com is home to the Toll Free Advisory Committee (TAC). The Toll Free Advisory Committee (TAC) is a self regulated association of telecom companies. We work as an external layer within the toll free industry. We aggregate news and information involving Responsible Organizations and regulatory agencies including the Federal Communication Commission (FCC) and the Service Management System (SMS800.)
We provide a public resource on the topics of telecom and 800 numbers that are accessible to the general public.
SMSGOV is not affiliated or endorsed by the United States Government.
See:About Us
Industry Compliance
One Purpose of the Tollfree Advisory Committee (TAC) is to assist in arbitrating disputes between subscribers/Responsible Organizations/the Government/and end users of telephone and communications services.
See: Compliance
Contacts
inquiries should be sent to: domain(at)sms-gov.us
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Posted on October 3, 2009 by smsgov
The Timesunion.com is reporting troubles with broadband phone service and 911. Phone service over the Internet can cause problems for callers trying to reach 911 that traditional phone lines (and fiber optic technology) don’t have. Emergency assistance professionals are advising callers whose home phone line is the Internet to manually check to see that the 911 system knows where to find them.
Filed under: Information | Tagged: 1-800, broadband, fiber optics, phone service, toll free | Leave a comment »
Posted on October 2, 2009 by smsgov
The New York Times has reported 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. Hearings are set to hash out the details but if it all goes through as planned 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.
Filed under: Information | Tagged: phone service, telecommunications, toll free, wireless | Leave a comment »
Posted on October 2, 2009 by smsgov
There is a misconception that changing toll free carriers will cause an interruption in phone service. Carriers need to make sure subscribers understand that in most instances service can be transferred without any down time. If working with quality companies, the subscriber should fine the transfer to be seamless. The bulk of the work is completed before the new phone company forwards a transfer request and this process should take just a few days. To educate the consumer, toll free providers should discuss the transfer process with potential subscribers who may be suffering with poor quality toll free service because they fear costly interruptions if they transfer.
Filed under: Information | Tagged: 1-800, toll free, toll free transfer | Leave a comment »
Toll Free Service Management System News 