FCC’s Targets Toll free Industry

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.

Is Fiber-Optic Service Really That Much Better?

Some companies exclusively use fiber optic technology. Other toll free number service providers still use the less reliable VoIP, which does not provide the consistent connections of fiber optics. In fact, in some circumstances with VoIP, if the power fails, phone calls cannot be transmitted at all.

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Get the skinny on toll free service

When choosing toll free service, subscribers typically can select from a menu of services—calls routed to land lines, faxes, emails etc. and a variety of other features that suit their needs and their budget. Once a number is assigned, it stays with the owner permanently. If a company grows or moves locations, the numbers remains, safeguarding the connection to all their customers.

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Super Bowl Ads And Toll Free

Advertisers will prove the effectiveness of toll free phone numbers today more than any other day of the year. Watch the Super Bowl ads and count how many include toll free numbers. You may be surprised. We won’t. We already know how well toll free helps boost brand image and customers.

Toll-free Ration Proposal Reconsidered

Rumors are swirling that an amended proposal to ration the remaining supply of toll free phone numbers has been re-introduced to officials at the 800 Service Management Systems (SMS/800). Earlier this year, insiders reported that a similar rationing bill was narrowly defeated.

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Release of 855 Helps Across The Board

At a recent conference, toll free phone service was discussed and the general consensus is that there is no downside to releasing more toll free numbers. With a larger supply, there would be a reduction of improper distribution of these numbers–the legitimate service providers would benefit enormously. Business owners and subscribers would likewise benefit because they could get new custom numbers that meet their needs. Domain names could be more easily matched. There are countless benefits and really no disadvantages that any of the representatives could think of. The release of 855 numbers, sooner rather than later, will help across the board.

Toll-free Portioning Proposal Denied at SMS800.

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.

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What is the SMS800 and what function does it serve?

By law, all toll free phone service providers must deal with SMS/800 while assigning or reserving numbers for their customers. SMS/800 keeps records on the status of all 800 numbers, service providers, and call routing options.
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.

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Toll Free Budgeting May Deny or Delay New Service Applications

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.

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Toll Free Phone Service Embargo Possible in the U.S.

Recent reports have referred to the situation as the ‘the perfect storm” meaning the shortage of numbers, the soaring demand, and the failure of the federal government to release reserved numbers have all collided to create a situation in which rationing, an embargo or even a complete depletion of 800 numbers is possible.

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