Posted on October 3, 2009 by smsgov
The Timesunion.com is reporting troubles with broadband phone service and 911. Phone service over the Internet can cause problems for callers trying to reach 911 that traditional phone lines (and fiber optic technology) don’t have. Emergency assistance professionals are advising callers whose home phone line is the Internet to manually check to see that the 911 system knows where to find them.
Filed under: Information | Tagged: 1-800, broadband, fiber optics, phone service, toll free | Leave a comment »
Posted on October 2, 2009 by smsgov
The New York Times has reported that Verizon has agreed to sell divisions that offer service to 4.8 million phone lines in 14 states to Frontier Communications for $3.3 billion in cash and $5.2 billion in Frontier stock. Hearings are set to hash out the details but if it all goes through as planned the deal will triple the size of Frontier, a collection of rural phone companies. As part of the reported deal, Verizon will wind up owning at least two-thirds of Frontier’s shares. The move allows Verizon to concentrate on its wireless business and on serving large companies. The company says that after the deal, only 15 percent of its revenue will come from residential customers.
Filed under: Information | Tagged: phone service, telecommunications, toll free, wireless | Leave a comment »
Posted on September 30, 2009 by smsgov
The proposed hike in the interstate telephone contribution that consumers might soon be paying into the Universal Service Fund was recently criticized by the National Association of State Utility Consumer Advocates. The increase would bring the USF contribution to 12.9% of a users bill, compared with the current 11.4%. Every telephone user in the country pays into the USF already. The monies are used to maintain and subsidize rural telephone service to places where it would otherwise be prohibitively expensive.
The USF is controlled by the Universal Service Administrative Company, and overseen by a joint board consisting of FCC and state-level commissioners.
Read more here.
Filed under: Information | Tagged: 1-800, fcc, phone service, telecommunications, toll free | Leave a comment »
Posted on September 10, 2009 by smsgov
Government officials say something must be done to offset the problem—this means a possible rationing program and a tough crackdown on the burgeoning black market. Attempts to profit from the illegal sale of 800, 888, 877 and 866 numbers are in response to rapidly dwindling supplies. 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.
Read more here.
Filed under: Information | Tagged: 800 number, free, numbers, phone service, toll, toll free, tollfree | Leave a comment »
Posted on September 6, 2009 by smsgov
In recent years, an average of 8,000 new toll free numbers have been doled out each day from the main database of available numbers, managed by the 800 Service Management System (SMS/800). With 800 numbers bursting in popularity while the supply of available numbers shrinks, insiders say the number of daily applications could double by the end of the year.
Read more here.
Filed under: Information | Tagged: phone service, toll free, toll free phone, tollfree | Leave a comment »
Posted on August 30, 2009 by smsgov
Free cell phones are now being provided to needy residents of the U.S. The program is called SafeLink and is intended for low-income families and anyone receiving Medicaid, Supplemental Security Income and other government assistance programs. Safelink is being hailed as a safety program for those who cannot afford phones to stay in touch with children and family or who may need to contact police and medical personnel.
For more information on the free cell phone program go to SafeLink.com or call 1-800-977-3768.
Filed under: Information | Tagged: cell phones, phone service, toll free | Leave a comment »
Posted on August 26, 2009 by smsgov
Toll Free clients should be advised that they could be unpleasantly surprised down the road if they rent or lease a toll free phone number. Ownership is generally better, far less risks. No surprise loss of a valued number.
Filed under: Information | Tagged: 1-800, phone service, toll, toll free, toll free number | Leave a comment »
Posted on August 10, 2009 by smsgov
Verizon Communications Inc. has told Comcast Corp. that its Verizon-bashing “Don’t Fall for FiOS” advertisements are false and asked the cable giant to fix them in a “cease and desist” letter. Among other advertising claims, Comcast says that a comparable triple-play bundle of TV, phone and Internet service from Verizon can cost $400 more a year, after promotions expire, than one from Comcast. Meanwhile, Comcast faces heightened competition from Verizon and AT&T Inc., which are investing billions of dollars into new equipment to deliver TV and Internet along with their phone service in Comcast’s core markets. Verizon or AT&T compete in about 25 percent of Comcast’s franchise areas.
Filed under: Information | Tagged: Comcast. Verizon, phone service, telecommunications | Leave a comment »
Posted on August 9, 2009 by smsgov
The Timesunion.com is reporting troubles with broadband phone service and 911. Phone service over the Internet can cause problems for callers trying to reach 911 that traditional phone lines (and fiber optic technology) don’t have. Emergency assistance professionals are advising callers whose home phone line is the Internet to manually check to see that the 911 system knows where to find them.
Filed under: Information | Tagged: 1-800, broadband, fiber optics, phone service, toll free | Leave a comment »
Posted on August 9, 2009 by smsgov
The New York Times is reporting that Verizon has agreed to sell divisions that offer service to 4.8 million phone lines in 14 states to Frontier Communications for $3.3 billion in cash and $5.2 billion in Frontier stock. If it goes through, the deal will triple the size of Frontier, a collection of rural phone companies. As part of the reported deal, Verizon will wind up owning at least two-thirds of Frontier’s shares. The move allows Verizon to concentrate on its wireless business and on serving large companies. The company says that after the deal, only 15 percent of its revenue will come from residential customers.
Read more here.
Filed under: Information | Tagged: phone service, telecommunications, toll free, wireless | 1 Comment »
Toll Free Service Management System News 