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In New Delhi, India there is a new third generation in phone service. India has many call centers that American companies use to save money by outsourcing customer service centers. This article may help explain – read more here.

Toll Free Number Availability is Becoming Diminished

Industry insiders say the soaring popularity of toll free service combined with the failure of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to release additional numbers have created a tight supply of 800 numbers in heavy demand.

Once used primarily by big businesses, 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 quickly but the supply of numbers has remained stagnant.

Read more here.

Increasing Toll Free Cost

Due to the ongoing scarcity of 800 area code phone numbers, recent reports are indicating that phone companies are beginning to raise the cost to obtain 800 numbers.

Many providers are expected to follow suit. Get some eye-opening links here.

866 Find Demand Amid 1-800 Shortages

866 numbers are the newest toll free numbers, released by the Federal Communications Commission in 2000 to address the shortage of 800, 888, and 877 numbers. Once consumers began to recognize the 866 pre-fix as toll free, the value of 866 soared. Recent studies indicate that 9 out of 10 consumers recognize 866 as a toll free number. The 866 numbers are more popular then ever before, increasing in demand every day.

Read more here.

Good News Is Two-Fold On Toll Free

Just how many quality custom toll free phone numbers remain available for new subscribers? This is a question that pops up frequently and an issue of constant concern for those of us in the telecommunications industry. With a limited number of numerical possibilities and increased interest in obtaining the remaining toll free phone numbers, the supply could eventually be gone. But the good news is two-fold. First, there are still providers that can supply a good custom number with any of the four area codes (800, 888, 877 and 866) and there is an anticipated turn-about within the next year or so. New numbers (the new 855 area codes) are expected to be released to replenish supplies.

Supply Shortage May Lead to Service Stoppages

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.

Toll Free ShortagesExpected to Leave Many High and Dry

Government officials say something must be done to offset the problem—this means a possible rationing program and a tough crackdown on the burgeoning black market. Attempts to profit from the illegal sale of 800, 888, 877 and 866 numbers are in response to rapidly dwindling supplies. As with any commodity in high demand, a black market for toll free numbers has emerged in the United States, sending regulators scrambling to control the illegal sales of valuable 800 numbers.

Read more here.

Are Bill Copies Mandatory for Toll Free Porting?

If the phone company doesn’t have safe procedures for verifying the end-user of a toll free phone number before they begin transferring it, then it would be YOUR toll free number being put at risk. What if someone tries to transfer YOUR 1-800 number without your consent either on purpose or on accident, if the phone company doesn’t verify the bill copy, the phone company could be held liable for damages, AND it could severely disrupt the business of the toll-free user and their callers. No legitimate phone company wants to be a part of causing that, it’s an all around bad situation for everybody. The bottom line is that phone companies that require bill copies have no liability because they create an environment that has no liabilities; the other “phone companies” create glitches and cause problems.

Read more here.

Talk of Rationing Amendment Abounds

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.

Applications for Toll Free Phone Service Expected to Increase

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.

Making the situation worse, hopes that the new 855 numbers would soon be released have been dashed as insiders report the launch of the numbers may be held off until 2011. Meanwhile more than two-thirds of available numbers have been taken and millions of new numbers are being registered each year.

Read more here.