Toll Free Gurus Anticipate Phone Service Embargo

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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Housing Help Line Open for Residents of NY State

New York State has launched a toll free number to help address its affordable housing crisis. Through a web site and toll free number, people in need of housing can be matched with landlords. This is a brand new initiative from the New York State Department of Health and the New York Office of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities. The toll-free number to the bilingual call center is 1-877-428-8844, staffed weekdays from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Supply of Toll Free Numbers Expected to Be Cut Short

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.

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Hoarding Toll Free Numbers is Unlawful

According to regulations enacted on April 11, 1997 by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) toll free phone numbers cannot be hoarded or brokered. These rules were approved after the FCC fielded numerous complaints about price gouging for catchy vanity numbers and popular numeric sequences. The FCC reports that anyone caught attempting to sell or broker an 800 number faces significant fines.

Forget Naysayers, 800 Pool Continues to Shrink

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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When Transferring Your Toll Free Number, is a Bill Copy Required?

If you currently control your own 1-800 toll free phone number (or 888/877/866) and choose to transfer your toll free number to another company (also called ‘porting your number’) the company you are ransferring it to will require a bill copy, but why?

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Toll-Free Advisory Committee Recommendation

In recent months, members of the Tollfree Advisory Committee at SMSGOV.com have been repeatedly warning of the decline of available toll free phone numbers. To offset the anticipated impact of this scarcity of 1-800 numbers, the Tollfree Advisory Committee strongly recommends the release by the FCC of the reserved toll free area codes in 2009.

Business Marketing Experts Perscribe Toll Free

With the economy not expected to rally anytime soon, economists are advising business owners to shift their marketing tactics to direct response—including using toll free phone numbers to attract consumers and sustain relationships with existing customers. Toll free is a proven marketing strategy that marketing experts say is a necessity in these days of staunch competition for every consumer dollar.

Applications for Toll Free Phone Service Continue to Rise

In recent years, an average of 8,000 new toll free numbers have been doled out each day from the main database of available numbers, managed by the 800 Service Management System (SMS/800). 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.

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Toll-free Ration Bill Defeated at SMS800.

Once used primarily by big businesses, the 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 rapidly however the supply of numbers has remained stagnant. Despite this shortage, reserved 855 numbers are not expected to be released by the FCC for several years. Until a new pre-fix is launched, which could take years, it appears the race is on to secure the remaining numbers.

Read more here.