Posted on March 11, 2010 by smsgov
Telecommunications industry sources now say an unthinkable embargo on new toll free phone service in the United States is a real possibility within the next year. Facing a severe shortage of available 800-numbers, a skyrocketing demand for toll free service and an emerging black market for 800 numbers, insiders say officials feel they are left with no choice but to impose an embargo.
Read more here.
Filed under: Information | Tagged: 1 800 number, 1-800, 800, 800 number, 866, 877, 888, toll free, toll free number, toll free numbers | Leave a comment »
Posted on March 9, 2010 by smsgov
We know from countless surveys and studies that customers tend to order more merchandise over the phone than by internet or mail order. And customer returns decrease by as much as half if personal customer support is provided over the phone. Response rates soar when advertisements include a toll free number. Studies also show that customers equate toll free phone numbers with high quality services and products. Toll free phone numbers–especially a vanity number that matches a brand name or image–-sends a message that a product and service are of superior quality to those of a competitor.
Filed under: Information | Tagged: customer service, customers, toll free numbers, toll free services | Leave a comment »
Posted on March 8, 2010 by smsgov
Growing concern about the limited stock of 800 numbers is creating an even higher demand. The FCC cites toll free service as a “proven” marketing tool for increasing and sustaining business. In fact, studies show that telephone orders can increase up to 60 percent and word of mouth referrals can rise by 200 percent. American adults report that they make an average of 60 toll free calls per year.
Read more here.
Filed under: Information | Tagged: 800, free, number, numbers, phone, ration, toll, toll free, toll free numbers, toll free ration | Leave a comment »
Posted on March 6, 2010 by smsgov
By a narrow defeat, telecommunications insiders say a proposal to ration the limited supply of existing toll free numbers has suffered a loss at 800 Services management System (SMS/800).
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.
Read more here.
Filed under: Information | Tagged: 800, 800 number, ration, sms, sms800, toll free, toll free number, toll free numbers, toll free ration | Leave a comment »
Posted on March 5, 2010 by smsgov
With a limited number of toll free possibilities, the finite numerical supply is nearly expended. Companies like AT&T and Verizon can quickly secure a number for any subscriber, then offer low rates, a variety of services and reliable fiber optic connections. There are also other providers that offer specialty toll free service at a lower cost – do your research as many do not use fiber optics, therefore diminishing call quality. Get more information here.
Filed under: Information | Tagged: 1-800, 1-800 numbers. toll free numbers. tollfree. phone service, 800, 800 number, 800 numbers, toll free numbers | Leave a comment »
Posted on March 5, 2010 by smsgov
Toll free service is essential for new companies, start-ups and any business trying to get a competitive edge. Insiders are concerned that if the existing available 800 numbers are rationed, some businesses could be doomed.
The severe shortage of 800, 888, 877, and 866 numbers already has the toll free service industry feeling uneasy. Now that rumors are circulating that rationing of numbers is about to begin, experts say anyone who wants to obtain a toll free number had better act now.
Read more here.
Filed under: Information | Tagged: 1 800 number, 800 numbers, ration, toll free number, toll free numbers, toll free ration | Leave a comment »
Posted on March 2, 2010 by smsgov
Heard from a distraught new business owner yesterday who tried seven combinations for a new toll free phone number. But all seven were already taken. He wanted to know about new toll free area codes. Should he wait, then use his favorite phrases when 855 became available? (his seven first-picks are all very common themes for his type of business so I was not surprised they were taken) Here is the advice I offered him: Work with an established, reputable service provider and find a suitable alternative to use for now. Get creative. Then talk to the provider about how to be prepared when the 855 numbers are released so he can jump on his first pick phrases right away. He is better off with an operating toll free phone number rather than standard service. So if he has to wait for awhile to get his preferred phrase with an 855 area code, in the meantime he will have another toll free number up and running.
Filed under: Information | Tagged: 1-800 phone numbers, 800 numbers, 855, toll free numbers | Leave a comment »
Posted on March 2, 2010 by smsgov
Advisors say the best way to obtain a toll free number before the supply runs out is to use a reliable toll free service provider that has access to the database of available numbers. For example, Verizon, or Qwest will assist subscribers in finding a quality toll free number at a very low cost. Find out more information here.
Filed under: Information | Tagged: 1-800, 800 numbers, 866, 877, 888, numbers, toll free hoarding, toll free numbers, toll free ration | Leave a comment »
Posted on March 1, 2010 by smsgov
The popularity of the 1-800 number, introduced in the late 1960s, led the FCC to add the new pre-fixes 888 and 877 in the mid-1990s. When availability of those numbers became scarce in 2000, the 866 pre-fixes were added to overcome the shortage. Now, eight years later, the stockpile is once again low despite the recent mass deactivation of unused 800 numbers.
Experts say the demand drastically outweighs supply and advise that the only way to guarantee obtaining a toll free number is to get one immediately.
Read more here.
Filed under: Information | Tagged: 800, 800 number, 800 numbers, toll free, toll free number, toll free numbers | Leave a comment »
Posted on March 1, 2010 by smsgov
Facing an extreme dearth of 800 numbers, telecommunications experts are now concerned that a toll free number ration could delay new phone service applications. And in the midst of an economic meltdown, U.S. business owners could not imagine worse news. Read more here.
Filed under: Information | Tagged: 800 number, toll free brokering, toll free numbers, toll free ration | Leave a comment »
Toll Free Service Management System News 