Posted on May 24, 2009 by smsgov
In 1994, the United States Congress approved the Communications for Law Enforcement Act (CALEA). The regulations were intended to preserve a wiretapping law put in place in 1968 and allow wiretapping over digital phone networks. CALEA requires telecommunications carriers to modify their equipment, facilities, and services to aid surveillance capabilities. Initially there was some question as to whether this would apply to VoIP—Voice Over Internet Protocol service—but in 2005 the courts ruled that indeed VoIP must comply with CALEA.
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Posted on May 24, 2009 by smsgov
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. Toll free numbers are assigned by entities called Responsible Organizations, toll free service providers who have access to the SMS/800 database of available numbers.
Read more here.
Filed under: Information | Tagged: 800 number, auction, ebay, fcc, toll free number | Leave a comment »
Posted on May 23, 2009 by smsgov
The SMS/800 Data Center houses the main database of available toll free 800, 888, 877 and 866 phone numbers. SMS/800 maintains the database and keeps records of the owners of each number and the service providers. Available numbers on the database are assigned to subscribers on a first-come, first-served, basis. Additionally, the SMS/800 management team works with toll free service providers and with the owners and operators of the 800 numbers. The team has final authority on all issues that arise at SMS/800
Filed under: Information | Tagged: sms800, toll free numbers, toll free service | Leave a comment »
Posted on May 23, 2009 by smsgov
By law, phone numbers cannot be sold or brokered. In 1997, the FCC made the sale of 800 numbers illegal. Because of the short supply of available numbers, complaints were pouring in at that time that price gouging for the popular numbers was becoming a common practice. The FCC acted quickly, prohibiting sales.
Read more here.
Filed under: Information | Tagged: 800, 800 number, auction, ebay, number, phone, resp org, resporg, sell 800 numbers, vanity | Leave a comment »
Posted on May 22, 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 May 22, 2009 by smsgov
JEFFERSON CITY, MO — Some say a lack of regulation led to much of the mess we’re seeing on wall street, which is why you may be surprised to learn that Missouri phone companies are telling regulators to stay out of their business.
Read more here.
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Posted on May 22, 2009 by smsgov
In the past, 800 and 888 pre-fixes have been the most popular choices of subscribers. Experts say this was due mostly to the lack of public awareness that 877 and 866 were also toll free. But in recent years, this situation has changed. Reports now indicate that the majority of the public recognizes all four pre-fixes as toll free. Business owners are quickly taking advantage of the 877 numbers.
Read more here.
Filed under: Information | Tagged: 800 numbers, 855 number, 866, 877, 877 number, 877 numbers, 888 | Leave a comment »
Posted on May 21, 2009 by smsgov
The New York Times is reporting 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. If it goes through, 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 | 1 Comment »
Posted on May 21, 2009 by smsgov
A recent plea for the deactivation of unused 800 numbers resulted in a 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 1- 800 number each day.
Read more here.
Filed under: Information | Tagged: 800, 800 number, 800 numbers, toll free | Leave a comment »
Posted on May 20, 2009 by smsgov
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.
Filed under: Information | Tagged: 1-800, toll free numbers, toll free service | Leave a comment »
