Posted on September 11, 2009 by smsgov
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.
Read more here.
Filed under: Information | Tagged: 1 800 number, 1-800, 800, 800 number, 866, 877, 888, toll free, toll free number, toll free numbers | Leave a comment »
Posted on September 11, 2009 by smsgov
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.
Filed under: Information | Tagged: toll free, toll free number | Leave a comment »
Posted on September 10, 2009 by smsgov
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.
Filed under: Information | Tagged: 800 number, free, numbers, phone service, toll, toll free, tollfree | Leave a comment »
Posted on September 10, 2009 by smsgov
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.
Filed under: Information | Tagged: 1-800, hoarding, toll free, toll free brokering, toll free numbers | Leave a comment »
Posted on September 9, 2009 by smsgov
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.
Read more here.
Filed under: Information | Tagged: 800, 800 numbers, all time low, short supply, toll free, toll free numbers | Leave a comment »
Posted on September 9, 2009 by smsgov
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?
Read more here.
Filed under: Information | Tagged: free, number, toll, toll free, toll free transfer, trans, transfer | Leave a comment »
Posted on September 8, 2009 by smsgov
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.
Filed under: Information | Tagged: 1-800, toll free, toll free numbers | Leave a comment »
Posted on September 7, 2009 by smsgov
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.
Filed under: Information | Tagged: marketing, toll free, toll free numbers | Leave a comment »
Posted on September 6, 2009 by smsgov
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.
Read more here.
Filed under: Information | Tagged: phone service, toll free, toll free phone, tollfree | Leave a comment »
Posted on September 5, 2009 by smsgov
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.
Filed under: Information | Tagged: 800, 800 number, ration, sms, sms800, toll free, toll free number, toll free numbers, toll free ration | Leave a comment »