Connecticut’s BBB Provides Toll Free Number for Consumers

As the bad economy and the failing auto industry drives consumers to buy used vehicles instead of new, the Connecticut Better Business Bureau is promoting a toll free service to help consumers find good deals on used cars.
Some of the information discussed on the toll free hotline are the age of the car, safety issues, how long the consumer intends to keep it, features, and anticipated maintenance expenses. The National Highway Safety Administration (NHTSA) toll-free hotline is 800-424-9393.

Studies Show VoIP Service Lacks Quality, Reliability

Recent reports about difficulties with broadband (VoIP) phone service is are no surprise to many of us in the telecommunications industry. Unlike fiber optic service, VoIP service may be lost during power outages. Connections to faxes are often problematic as are calls for emergency services. VoIP users may also find that some calls wont connect to the other party. And recent news reports mentioned concerns about connecting with 911 emergency services. Until these glitches are fixed, fiber optics is considered a superior option, particularly for toll free phone service.

Telecoms and Carriers Subject to CALEA

As for the Communications Assistance For Law Enforcement Act, virtually all common carriers and telecommunications companies are subject to the regulations under CALEA. This means all telephone communications can be monitored as part of legal, warranted, surveillance by law enforcement agencies. However, fiber optic communications are a possible exception for some wiretapping purposes because detecting transmission through the fiber optic cables is very difficult.

VoIP Phone Lines Problematic With 911

The Timesunion.com has reported 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.

The Duties of the SMS/800

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.

Industry Insiders Forsee Rise in Toll Free Service Applications

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.

For several months now, industry insiders have been advising anyone looking for a toll free number to secure one immediately. The warnings are apparently sinking in– applications for 800 numbers are at an all-time high as subscribers try to obtain a number while there are still some remaining.

Read more here.

De-Activations Alone Cannot Save The Day

A recent plea for the deactivation of unused 800 numbers resulted in a surge of numbers returned to the main database. But despite these mass replacements, the supply of available toll free numbers continues to dwindle as thousands of subscribers register for a 1- 800 number each day.

Read more here.

Database Released for Government Hotlines

Looking for a federal government toll free number? Go to http://www.info.gov/toll-free.htm or call 1-800-FED-INFO. The U.S. Government utilizes hundreds of toll free numbers to provide information and services in every topic from consumer protection to health care to financial matters.

Waiting to Order a Toll Free Could Be a Big Mistake

With the supply of available 800 numbers dwindling and no immediate plans by the FCC to launch additional numbers, experts advise that business owners and others interested in securing an 800 number should invest today.

Read more here.

FCC Maintains Oversight

The FCC does not play a role in the assignment of new toll free numbers. Instead, they regulate the guidelines under which 1-800 numbers can be used and obtained. For instance, the FCC has declared that the hoarding and warehousing of numbers is prohibited and punishable with severe fines—recently illustrated by a citation for an $11,000 fine each day a California company continued to implement improper toll free practices. Numbers are assigned by toll free carriers (resp. orgs) and phone companies. Subscribers have the option of shopping around for the best quality and the best rates.