Why Is It So Difficult To Get An 800 Phone Number?

With the fixed amount of available 800 numbers shrinking fast, subscribers who waited to secure toll free service are now learning why it is so difficult to obtain a number.

Industry insiders say the soaring popularity of toll free service combined with the failure of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to release additional numbers have created a tight supply of 800 numbers in heavy demand.

Once used primarily by big businesses, 800, 888, 877, and 866 toll free numbers are now popular with small businesses, charities, churches, and for personal use. Toll free service has become a staple of all successful businesses. Demand has grown quickly but the supply of numbers has remained stagnant.

Read more here.

Summer Concert Season Heats Up With Toll Free Numbers

The summer concert and event season is heating up, ads are popping up all over with toll free telephone numbers for tickets and information. Many of these numbers are temporary numbers set up specifically for the event. Once the concert or event is over, the number is disconnected. This is becoming a more and more popular way to connect with consumers. Toll free numbers are so easy to set up, can be routed to many phone lines and are very cost-effective. Temporary toll free numbers are convenient for the organizers of all types of events.

Approved List of Toll Free Service Providers

In addition to the complete list of toll free telephone companies SMSGOV.com maintains; SMS-GOV.US also maintains a list of approved Toll Free Service Providers. We have compiled the full list here:

Phone Service May Be Put on Hold in the U.S.

Recent reports have referred to the situation as the ‘the perfect storm” meaning the shortage of numbers, the soaring demand, and the failure of the federal government to release reserved numbers have all collided to create a situation in which rationing, an embargo or even a complete depletion of 800 numbers is possible.

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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Testing of 855 Toll Free Numbers?

Got a tip that there is “testing” of the yet-to-be-released 855 toll free telephone numbers. We didn’t get any specifics on what type of testing is being done on these area code numbers, however couple with the rumors that the new much-needed 855 area codes will be released soon, this provides us with hope. The new 855 numbers would provide millions of opportunities for subscribers to get new custom toll free phone number for their business or personal use. We will keep you all posted.

Toll-free Phone Service Applications Expected To Rise Again

Heeding recent warnings about the rapid decline of 800 numbers, subscribers are applying for toll free service at record rates. A steady stream of requests are pouring in for toll free 800, 888, 877, and 866 numbers and applications are expected to continue to rise this year.

Read more here.

Why Would a toll-free phone company require a bill copy to transfer your 800 number?

Legitimate phone companies require a copy of your bill to port-in an 1-800 phone number. Conversely, there are also illegitimate “toll free companies” in quotes because they are often shady, underhanded and deceitful shadowy entities lurking with no fixed address hoping to acquire your toll free phone number under their control. If you are a legitimate toll-free user, it’s important that you don’t fall into their trap. Oftentimes, up to 90% of their phone service is being used by scammers worldwide that buy from a shady phone company because it’s easier to get away with breaking the law and doing the kind of stuff that normal phone companies proactively prohibit; like Nigerian Bank Scams, or the phone number
used on the websites of Viagra bulk email SPAM.

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Toll-free Service Applications On the Rise

For several months now, industry insiders have been advising anyone looking for a toll free number to secure one immediately. The warnings are apparently sinking in– applications for 800 numbers are at an all-time high as subscribers try to obtain a number while there are still some remaining.

Making the situation worse, hopes that the new 855 numbers would soon be released have been dashed as insiders report the launch of the numbers may be held off until 2011. Meanwhile more than two-thirds of available numbers have been taken and millions of new numbers are being registered each year.

Read more here.

Some Providers Maintain Good Stock Of Toll Free Numbers

Despite the nationwide shortage of toll free numbers, there are some carriers that can still provide subscribers with suitable 800 and vanity numbers for immediate ownership. This news may come as a relief to some business owners who have been finding it difficult to obtain a good toll free number. By researching different carriers, subscribers will find some that have ample stock, for now.

Lawyers and Toll Free Gear Up For Oil Spill Lawsuits

Lawyers nationwide are advertising 1-800 telephone numbers related to lawsuits anticipated in the wake of the oil spill disaster in the Gulf of Mexico. With tens of thousands of gallons of oil spewing into the waters each day for over a month now, personal injury and civil litigation attorneys are gearing up to advertise their toll free phone numbers to as many clients as possible. Attorneys have used toll free service for decades and with national disasters like the spill, they are marketing their services with toll free all over the southeast.