Posted on July 4, 2010 by smsgov
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.
Filed under: Information | Tagged: 1 800 numbers, fcc, fcc law, toll free, toll free number | Leave a comment »
Posted on July 1, 2010 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, fcc law, hoarding, toll free hoarding | Leave a comment »
Posted on June 24, 2010 by smsgov
Under rules established in 1997 by the Federal Communications Commission, toll-free service providers cannot reserve a toll-free number without having an actual toll-free subscriber for whom the number is being reserved. By law, available numbers must be doled out on a first-come, first served basis off the main database maintained by the 800 Service Management System (SMS/800).
Read more here.
Filed under: Information | Tagged: 800 number hoarding, 800 numbers, fcc, fcc law, toll free hoarding, toll free numbers | Leave a comment »
Posted on June 2, 2010 by smsgov
The FCC has a long history of reviewing legislation with regard to the use of toll free. For instance, the Telecommunications Act of 1996 amended section 228 to impose more stringent restrictions on the use of toll-free numbers to charge consumers for information services. On July 11, 1996, the Commission amended its rules governing interstate pay-per-call (900 numbers) and other information services to address abusive practices that threatened public confidence in toll-free numbers and left telephone subscribers vulnerable to unexpected charges for calls and information services.
Filed under: Information | Tagged: 800 number, 800 numbers, fcc, fcc law, toll free, toll free number, toll free numbers | Leave a comment »
Posted on May 31, 2010 by smsgov
In March 1998, the FCC ordered the fair distribution of vanity toll free numbers. The Commission concluded that assigning vanity numbers would be on a first-come, first-served basis to ensure fair allocation of numbers. The FCC decided that “a first-come, first-served process is also the most efficient method for assigning toll free numbers because it is the most easily administered and least expensive way to allocate numbers.” The FCC also announced that the the first-come, first-served system avoids disputes among subscribers over who is entitled to a particular number
Filed under: Information | Tagged: 1-800, fcc, fcc law, toll free number, vanity numbers | Leave a comment »
Posted on March 20, 2010 by smsgov
Courts in recent years have been raising the evidentiary bar law enforcement agents must meet in order to obtain historical cell phone records that reveal information about a target’s location. But documents obtained by civil liberties groups under a Freedom of Information Act request suggest that “triggerfish” technology can be used to pinpoint cell phones without involving cell phone providers at all.
Read more here.
Filed under: Information | Tagged: cell tracking, civil liberties, fcc law, privacy, triggerfish | Leave a comment »
Posted on March 10, 2010 by smsgov
You might be surprised to find some of the FCC’s toll free regulations on toll free phone numbers. Get a list here.
Filed under: Information | Tagged: fcc, fcc law, FCC Policy, Toll Free Regulations | Leave a comment »
Posted on February 24, 2010 by smsgov
Growing concern about the limited stock of 800 numbers is creating an even higher demand for toll free service, a marketing tool that the FCC says is “proven” to increase business. In fact, studies show that telephone orders can increase up to 60 percent and word of mouth referrals can rise by 200 percent. With stats like that, industry insiders are not surprised by the emergence of a black market for 800 numbers.
Read more here.
Filed under: Information | Tagged: 800 number, auction, ebay, fcc, fcc law, toll free number | Leave a comment »
Posted on February 13, 2010 by smsgov
Insiders say to avoid being caught in an undercover investigation and facing hefty fines from the Federal Communications Commission, anyone interested in obtaining an 800 number should deal with reputable service providers such as Qwest, or AT&T. Continue here to get full story.
Filed under: Information | Tagged: 1-800, 800 number, 800 numbers, 877, 888, fcc, fcc law, toll free, toll free numbers | Leave a comment »
Posted on January 31, 2010 by smsgov
When an 800 number is disconnected, it eventually becomes available on the 800 Service Management System, (SMS/800) database. These retired numbers are in great demand and the competition to secure released numbers is fierce. Get more on this system here.
Filed under: Information | Tagged: fcc, fcc law, marketing, phone numbers, resp org, telecommunications, toll free, toll free hoarding, toll free number | Leave a comment »
Toll Free Service Management System News 