Man Arrested and Fined for FCC Violation

The FCC reports that anyone caught attempting to sell or broker an 800 number faces significant fines.

The attempts to profit from the illegal sale of 800, 888, 877 and 866 numbers are in response to rapidly dwindling supplies. Available toll free numbers are at an all-time low and experts advise anyone interested in obtaining an 800 number should act now. Thousands of toll free numbers are registered each day. With a limited number of possibilities, the finite supply is nearly expended.

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Higher Demand Brings Greater Concerns

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.

Low Supplies Of Toll Free. But Subscribers Can Still Get Good Custom Numbers.

Although recurring news reports have revealed a drastic reduction in accessible, quality, toll free numbers nationwide, there are still ways to get a good custom number. Supplies of numbers may, indeed, be low however there are still carriers that can provide their customers with a good supply of toll free numbers that will suit the needs of their business or non-profit. The trick is to research carriers and find one that offers an ample pool of numbers. Subscribers can still attain good numbers from experienced and reliable carriers.

Waiting to Order a Toll Free Could Be a Big Mistake

With the supply of available 800 numbers dwindling and no immediate plans by the FCC to launch additional numbers, experts advise that business owners and others interested in securing an 800 number should invest today.

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FCC Becoming More Vigilant

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.

FCC Maintains Oversight

The FCC does not play a role in the assignment of new toll free numbers. Instead, they regulate the guidelines under which 1-800 numbers can be used and obtained. For instance, the FCC has declared that the hoarding and warehousing of numbers is prohibited and punishable with severe fines—recently illustrated by a citation for an $11,000 fine each day a California company continued to implement improper toll free practices. Numbers are assigned by toll free carriers (resp. orgs) and phone companies. Subscribers have the option of shopping around for the best quality and the best rates.

Despite De-Activations, Supplies of 800 Numbers Still Extremely Low

When an 800 number is disconnected, it eventually becomes available on the 800 Service Management System, (SMS/800) database. These retired numbers are in great demand and the competition to secure released numbers is fierce.

Industry insiders are recommending that anyone wishing to obtain a toll free number secure one immediately. Thousands of toll free numbers are registered each day. With a limited number of possibilities, the finite supply is nearly expended.

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Indisputable Success Of Toll Free Service

The indisputable success of toll free phone numbers in the marketing world is the source of much discussion. It appears to be fail-proof. Customers who make transactions over the phone tend to order more merchandise than by internet or mail. Customer returns tend to decrease dramatically if customer support is provided over the phone. An response rates soar when advertisements include a toll free number. Studies show that customers equate toll free numbers with high quality services and products. Any company with a quality toll free number–especially a vanity number that matches their brand, name or image–sends the message that their products and services are of superior quality to those of a competitor.

Officials Discuss Shortages, No Solutions Yet

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 Numbers Finding a Place in the Home

The popularity of 1-800 numbers is surpassing that of local phone numbers at rates exceeding industry expectations.

Toll free service has increased at such a fast pace that the supply of available 1-800 numbers is at an all-time low. According to the Federal Communications Commission 1-800, 888, 877 and 866 numbers are increasingly popular for businesses and for personal use. With no plans for the addition of new numbers, the existing supply is quickly depleting.

Read more here.