800’s Are Not Expensive

Toll free phone service has become an affordable and reliable option that offers customers countless features and price points to meet their individual needs.

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Reservoir of Toll Free 1-800 Numbers Reache An All-Time Low

Toll free numbers were introduced in 1967. By the 1980s, nearly half of all long distance calls would be toll free. Today, 98 percent of adults say they regularly use toll free numbers. Meanwhile, the supply of 800, 888, 877, and 866 numbers are at an all-time low. More than two-thirds of the available numbers are taken and there are no immediate plans by the Federal Communications Commission to introduce a new pre-fix.

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VoIP: Friend or Foe?

VoIP converts voices into digital signals that travel over the Internet. However, it has become difficult to perfect these systems and missed connections and interrupted service are a common problem.Read more here.

The Illicit Business of Toll Free Phone Number Brokering

In 2005, the FCC yanked control of 1-800-Red-Cross from a private California business owner who was leasing the use of the number to local chapters of the Red Cross. When the charity filed a formal complaint, the FCC determined that the brokering was illegal and handed over control of the number to the non-profit.

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The Illicit Business Toll Free Phone Number Hoarding

Concern about the diminishing 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. Studies show that telephone orders can increase up to 60 percent and word of mouth referrals can rise by 200 percent if a toll free number is advertised.

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Fiber Optics Gaining Steam?

Fiber optics used for telecommunications is considered far more reliable than VoIP, particularly for long distance calls, because it allows for longer intervals of signal transmission without interruptions. Fiber optics provides a quality connection that ensures clarity in every call. With this technology, optical fibers are used instead of metal, reducing lost connections from electromagnetic interference.

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Timeline of Toll Free Subscriptions

If a toll free phone service carrier advises a customer that if will take weeks for a new toll free number, that customer should be told to find another service provider. Toll free numbers can, and should, be issued within just days. Even the transfer of an existing number should be speedy and easy to accomplish. If a carrier is taking weeks to get number for people, then their methods of obtaining these numbers could be in question. Toll free customers should be advised that properly-approved service providers can obtain new toll free numbers in just a few days, sometimes less.

Official List of SMSGOV Approved Toll Free Service Providers

In addition to the complete list of toll free telephone companies SMSGOV.com maintains; SMS-GOV.US also maintains a list of approved Toll Free Service Providers.

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When The 855s Are Released

We were asked recently why the FCC hasn’t announced a date for the release of the new toll free phone number area code(s). There are many possible responses and we are not certain precisely why. But one thing is for certain, we hope they do make an announcement about the 855 area codes sometime this year. New stockpiles of toll free numbers will bring opportunities for businesses nationwide. Existing companies and new businesses will all get a boost form these new numbers to choose from. There are rumors that it will be in 2011. We will see.

How does toll free telephone service function?

A toll free number forward to, or rings, at any local number and on any phone. It does not require a special set-up of installation of any kind. There are four toll free pre-fixes, 800, 888, 877, and 866, and they all work the same way. Calls to these numbers are charged to the subscriber, not to the caller. Vanity numbers spell a word or phrase that relates to the business.

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