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.
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The Federal Communications Commission has voted to mandate landline phone companies to move faster when their subscribers request moving their phone number to a rival service. The commission will require companies to transfer, or “port,” landline phone numbers within one business day. Wireless numbers are typically ported within one day — in some cases within hours — and the FCC has determined that landline companies should move just as quickly.
The FCC wants procedures developed within about three months. The carriers will then have nine months to comply. Smaller carriers will get an extra six months, for a total of about a year and a half before the new rules will be set in motion.
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When an 800 number is disconnected, it goes into what is referred to as the aging process. At some point it becomes available on the 800 Service Management System (SMS/800) database. Then the race is on to obtain it.
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The North Carolina State House has decided to free local telephone service providers from state regulation that for decades made sure the companies justified their prices, responded to consumer complaints and maintained service standards. The House members voted to allow 16 providers to cut loose from the Utilities Commission which sets conditions on rates, terms, and quality of their services.
Supporters said the phone companies need price deregulation because their former monopoly positions have been eroded under competition from wireless, Internet and cable television companies that are not regulated.
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To overcome shortages of 1-800 numbers in the past, 888 and 877 were introduced in 1996 and 1998 respectively. Then, in 2000 the 866 numbers debuted. But toll free numbers have become such a valuable commodity that the stock is once again depleted. With an estimated five year wait before another new pre-fix is added, experts advise that obtaining a number immediately is essential.
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The Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) has launched a toll free number 1-888-429-5723 aimed at helping farmers obtain valuable agricultural information without being concerned about the cost. The toll free line will not only help to reduce farmers’ communication expenses, but will allow for quick access to credible technical information related to their operations. Another way toll free helps society and brings information to a community.
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Industry insiders are recommending that anyone wishing to obtain a toll free number secure one immediately. There are an average of 8,000 new toll free numbers registered each day. With a limited number of numerical possibilities, the finite supply is nearly expended.
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New York State has launched a toll free number to help address its affordable housing crisis. Through a web site and toll free number, people in need of housing can be matched with landlords. This is a brand new initiative from the New York State Department of Health and the New York Office of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities. The toll-free number to the bilingual call center is 1-877-428-8844, staffed weekdays from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
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According to the FCC, toll free numbers “have proven successful for businesses and are increasingly popular for personal use.” Toll free phone numbers give companies an edge over the competition by allowing customers to call for information on a product or service without being charged. This type of personal service is key to a successful business. The ability to speak to a company representative about the product, shipping options and availability of the item provides a sense of security in the product and lends legitimacy to the business.
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Continuing to cause alarm in our industry are reports of increased incidents of illegal hoarding of toll free numbers. 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. The FCC is taking a close look at all suspect activity. This is an ongoing issue. It is imperative that subscribers are educated on the proper way to obtain and use toll free phone numbers.
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