New Toll Free Supply

How many good, memorable, toll free phone numbers remain available for new subscribers? This is an issue of constant concern for those of us in the telecommunications industry. With a limited number of numerical possibilities and increased interest in obtaining the remaining numbers, the finite supply could eventually be depleted. But the good news is that there is an expected turn-about within the next year or so. New numbers–the new 855 area code–are expected to be released to re-nourish the dwindling supply.

The Difficulties In Securing An 800 Phone Number Have Increased

With the fixed amount of available 800 numbers shrinking fast, subscribers who waited to secure toll free service are now learning why it is so difficult to obtain a number.

Industry insiders say the soaring popularity of toll free service combined with the failure of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to release additional numbers have created a tight supply of 800 numbers in heavy demand.

Read more here.

Imperiled Market Requires New Toll Free Numbers

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.