Feds Use Toll Free To Expedite Census

In 2010, the United States Federal Government will take the Census. And they will use toll free phone service nationwide to help expedite this process. At any time between now and the end of March, homeowners will find something from the Census Bureau in their mailboxes. The U.S. Census Bureau is conducting its every-10-years count of how many people live in the United States, and where they live. Answering the 10 questions on the census form is mandated by federal law.

FCC 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.

New GM Chair A Telecommunications Expert

Named as the new chairman of the failing General Motors Corp., M Edward E. Whitacre Jr. built AT&T Inc. into the biggest U.S. provider of telephone service over a 43-year-career. Mr. Whitacre, of Texas and nicknamed “Big Ed” said steering the nation’s largest automaker after bankruptcy is “a public service.” People who know him say he can meet GM’s need for the type of transformation he orchestrated at AT&T.