855 Numbers Coming

Lots of interesting response to yesterdays post about the announcement that there has been an official request to the FCC for the release of the 855 toll free area code phone numbers. There is probably a lot more info coming so we will keep you posted.

Internet Phone Lines May Be Problematic With 911 Calls

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.

Closer to the New Toll Free

If you are one of the many American business owners looking for new toll free phone service and are having a hard time finding a memorable one, you will be excited to know that toll frees should be expanding soon!

You can read more about this one here.

855 Area Code News!!!

Got the news on pending release of the 855 toll free area code numbers from a very reliable telecommunications expert. This is it: the FCC’s designated Toll Free Administrator, has notified the FCC of the projected depletion of currently available toll free phone numbers with the 800, 888, 877 and 866 area codes and has requested approval to release the 855 area code numbers. The anticipated timeframe, we hear, is the last quarter of 2011. At last!

FCC Clamping Down on Toll Free Abusers

The FCC has been clamping down on violations of Section 251 (e) of the Communications Act of 1934, which prohibits the warehousing and hoarding of numbers. To ensure that toll free numbers are distributed in a fair and equitable way, the FCC is taking a close look at suspect activity. Recently they threatened an $11,000 daily fine to the owners of a California company for improper toll free use. This followed a string of unrelated instances, including at least one owner’s attempt to sell his numbers on eBay.

Despite Shape Of Economy, Toll Free Applications On The Rise

In the past year, the telecommunications industry has seen a steady increase in toll free subscribers. It appears to be in response to recent reports about the rapid decline of available 800 numbers, coupled with growing public awareness about the effectiveness of having a 1-800 number. A steady stream of requests are pouring in for toll free 800, 888, 877, and 866 numbers and applications. In recent years, reports indicate that an average of 8,000 new toll free numbers have been assigned daily. If this number continues to increase, and the reserved 855 numbers are not released, the shortage of available numbers will eventually have a detrimental impact on new businesses.

News on 855 Tomorrow!

We hear that big news is breaking about the 855 toll free area codes. We will confirm and let you all know tomorrow! Tune in then to learn more!

Toll Free Supply Debate Continues

The debate about toll free phone service continues. There has been a lot of discussion about concerns that the supply of available 1-800 numbers is nearly exhausted. There have not been any new toll free numbers introduced in the past nine years and an estimated 8,000 numbers or so are assigned each day. With demand high and supplies low telecommunications leaders are worried that this will create a real economic problem for United States businesses. Others argue that the problem is not too bad, yet. The debate continues.

Toll-free Ration Bill Returns Once Again

Rumors are swirling that an amended proposal to ration the remaining supply of toll free phone numbers has been re-introduced to officials at the 800 Service Management Systems (SMS/800). Earlier this year, insiders reported that a similar rationing bill was narrowly defeated.

Read more here.

1-800 And Sports Endorsements

Have any of you noticed all the sports figures with 1-800 numbers plastered on their uniforms and gear lately? Endorsements on clothing are nothing new of course but toll free telephone numbers are becoming more and more prominent in the sports advertising biz. This week we saw a NASCAR driver and a golf pro both wearing clothing with 1-80o numbers prominently displayed. Anywhere and everywhere a 1-800 can be displayed helps the business.