Posted on October 23, 2010 by smsgov
Supplies of 800, 888, 877, and 866 numbers are so depleted that availability is at an all-time low. But some say rationing the numbers, as the federal government did in 1995, is not the answer and could have a negative impact on the business community.
Once used primarily by big businesses, the 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 rapidly however the supply of numbers has remained stagnant. Despite this shortage, reserved 855 numbers are not expected to be released by the FCC for several years.
Read more here.
Filed under: Information | Tagged: 800, 800 number, ration, rationing, sms, sms800, toll free, toll free number, toll free numbers, toll free ration | Leave a comment »
Posted on October 14, 2010 by smsgov
Users who are waiting to reserve a number that will soon be returned to spare now know what time a given number will automatically spare. With the implementation of SMS/800 Release 16.0, numbers scheduled for automatic spare are released at 11 pm Central.
Read more here.
Filed under: Information | Tagged: 800, 800 number, sms, sms800, status, toll free | Leave a comment »
Posted on October 12, 2010 by smsgov
With the implementation of SMS/800 Release 16.0, numbers scheduled for automatic spare are released at 11 pm Central.
Previously, the system spared numbers throughout the day as their waiting periods expired, but users interested in reserving the number once it was spare never knew exactly when the number would be available.
Read more here.
Filed under: Information | Tagged: 800, 800 number, sms, sms800, status, toll free | Leave a comment »
Posted on September 25, 2010 by smsgov
The popularity of the 1-800 number, launched in 1967, led the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to add the new pre-fixes 888 and 877 in the mid-1990s. When availability of those numbers plummeted, 866 was added in 2000 to overcome the shortage. SMS/800, started in the mid-1980s, manages all these numbers.
While popularity soars, availability of new and used toll free numbers is plummeting. When an 800 number is disconnected, it goes into what is referred to as the aging process. At some point it becomes available on the SMS/800 database. Then, service providers can access the numbers and assign it to a customer in the United States or Canada.
Read more here.
Filed under: Information | Tagged: 800 numbers, service management system, sms, sms-800, sms800, toll free numbers, toll free service | Leave a comment »
Posted on September 11, 2010 by smsgov
Questions have arisen about the role of the 800 Services Management System. This is how it works: the SMS/800 management team works with toll free service providers and with the owners and operators of the 800 numbers. The SMS/800 team is comprised of a representative of each of the Bell Operating Companies. The team has final authority on all issues that arise at SMS/800.
Filed under: Information | Tagged: 1 800 numbers, sms800, toll free, toll free numbers | Leave a comment »
Posted on August 31, 2010 by smsgov
We appreciate our growing readership and feedback on our SMSGOV blog. occasionally we get an inquiry about what SMSGOV is so here are some details: SMSGOV.com is home to the Toll Free Advisory Committee (TAC). The Toll Free Advisory Committee (TAC) is a self regulated association of telecom companies. We work as an external layer within the toll free industry. We aggregate news and information involving Responsible Organizations and regulatory agencies including the Federal Communication Commission (FCC) and the Service Management System (SMS800.)
We provide a public resource on the topics of telecom and 800 numbers that are accessible to the general public.
Filed under: Information | Tagged: 1 800 numbers, resp org, responsible organization, SMS GOV, sms800, toll free numbers | Leave a comment »
Posted on August 29, 2010 by smsgov
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.
Filed under: Information | Tagged: 822, 833, 844, 855, 855 number, 855 numbers, fcc, sms800, toll free | Leave a comment »
Posted on August 26, 2010 by smsgov
Although we hear that the release of the new 855 toll free area codes could be as soon as next month, some insiders say it will be early 2011. Whatever the exact date, the time has come to add more stock to the toll free phone number supply. This one new area code–855– will add millions of new toll free options for businesses nationwide. Companies will have the option to choose from new combinations to match their domain names and their image. We will keep you posted on news about the release of 855 numbers.
Filed under: Information | Tagged: 822, 833, 844, 855, 855 number, 855 numbers, fcc, sms800, toll free | Leave a comment »
Posted on August 20, 2010 by smsgov
The SMS/800 Data Center houses the main database of available toll free 800, 888, 877 and 866 phone numbers for the United States and Canada. The SMS/800 maintains and updates the database and keeps records of the owners of each number. Available numbers on the database are assigned to subscribers on a first-come, first-served, basis. SS/800 keeps records on the status of all 800 numbers, service providers, and call routing options. When an 800 number is disconnected, it goes into what is referred to as the aging process. After several months, it becomes available on the SMS/800 database.
Filed under: Information | Tagged: 1-800, database, sms, sms-800, sms800, toll free | Leave a comment »
Posted on August 2, 2010 by smsgov
Rumors that a rationing program for the few remaining 800 numbers was imminent circulated through the telecommunications industry earlier this month. Supplies of 800, 888, 877, and 866 numbers are so depleted that availability is at an all-time low. But some say rationing the numbers, as the federal government did in 1995, is not the answer and could have a negative impact on the business community.
Once used primarily by big businesses, the 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.
Read more here.
Filed under: Information | Tagged: 800, 800 number, sms, sms800, toll free, toll free number, toll free numbers, toll free ration | Leave a comment »
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