Contracts Thwart Ports

Signing a long-term contract with a toll free carrier could prevent you from switching providers if you end up dissatisfied with the service or fees. Toll free numbers have been portable since 1991—this means you have the ability to switch carriers and “port” your number, in other words take it with you. All toll free customers should be aware that signing a long-term contract could be detrimental. There are plenty of carriers that provide toll free service without contracts or with very flexible short-term contracts.

Incidents of Number Hoarding on the Rise

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.

What To Do About 855?

Someone asked recently what they could do to help in the movement to get the 855 toll free telephone area codes made available. Writing to your federal elected official is one option. The 855 numbers are currently held by the FCC until they are deemed needed for public use. In our opinion, the pool of 855 toll free numbers would be helpful to ease the burden of decreasing available toll free phone numbers and would reduce the illegal hoarding and distribution of these numbers.

Experts Forsee 855 Numbers As Highly Sought After

Widespread concerns about the dwindling supply of toll free numbers may not be addressed anytime soon. According to sources at the 800 Service Management System (SMS/800) the reserved 855 pre-fix, intended to restore stocks of toll free numbers, may not be released by the Federal Communications Commission for several years. In fact, industry insiders say the release of 855 may be put off until 2011.

Read more here.

Toll Free Taboo: Toll Free Phone Number Brokering

As with any commodity in high demand, a black market for toll free numbers has emerged in the United States, sending regulators scrambling to control the illegal sales of valuable 800 numbers.

With toll free service soaring in popularity while finite supplies of available numbers drop, attempts to illegally buy and sell choice numbers on the black market is increasing.

Read more here.

APPLE Uses Toll Free To Connect With iPhone 4 Users

If you want some support with your new iPhone 4 and are hoping to test out FaceTime but don’t know anyone else with the latest handset? Apple has provided a toll-free number for users to call and video chat with a company representative. Facetime allows you to see who you are speaking with (think SKYPE over a phone) This week Apple sent out e-mails to customers, advising them they could try out FaceTime by calling 888-FACETIME (322-3846) number. The toll free phone number is available between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. CDT.

Virtual Office Systems See Popularity Grow

When starting a new company, there are many decisions to be made on communications, advertising, marketing, and customer service. Toll free phone service combined with virtual office systems streamlines management needs and reduces communications costs. With a toll free phone system that mimics corporate phone set-ups, any small business can have comprehensive telephone connections without having to install any new equipment or purchase new set-ups. We are finding that virtual office systems are becoming more and more popular, especially as companies attempt to keep their staff costs down.

Shortage + Demand = Crisis

Telecommunications industry sources now say an unthinkable embargo on new toll free phone service in the United States is a real possibility within the next year. Facing a severe shortage of available 800-numbers, a skyrocketing demand for toll free service and an emerging black market for 800 numbers, insiders say officials feel they are left with no choice but to impose an embargo.

Read more here.

Using Every Tool In The Marketing Box

Using Every Tool In The Marketing Box. Economic downfalls in 2009 and the first half of 2010 has led to the closings of thousands of retail stores and service companies with costly office overhead.  However, many of these companies have stayed profitable through phone and web sales. The majority of sales from catalog and websites are still made through toll free phone calls. And these days, large chain stores like WalMart and Target offer shoppers the convenience of buying over the phone. Toll free has helped many retail companies, large and small, stay afloat during this recession.

Portability A Guarantee

In 1991, the Federal Communications Commission enacted a regulation that made 1-800 numbers ‘portable’—this simply means the number can be moved from carrier to carrier. (This is referred to as “porting” the number.) The idea was that subscribers should never have to worry about losing control of their preferred phone number if they switch carriers and they should never be locked into inferior service.