Posted on August 9, 2009 by smsgov
The New York Times is reporting that Verizon has agreed to sell divisions that offer service to 4.8 million phone lines in 14 states to Frontier Communications for $3.3 billion in cash and $5.2 billion in Frontier stock. If it goes through, the deal will triple the size of Frontier, a collection of rural phone companies. As part of the reported deal, Verizon will wind up owning at least two-thirds of Frontier’s shares. The move allows Verizon to concentrate on its wireless business and on serving large companies. The company says that after the deal, only 15 percent of its revenue will come from residential customers.
Read more here.
Filed under: Information | Tagged: phone service, telecommunications, toll free, wireless | 1 Comment »
Posted on August 8, 2009 by smsgov
When an 800 number is disconnected, it eventually becomes available on the 800 Service Management System, (SMS/800) database. These retired numbers are in great demand and the competition to secure released numbers is fierce.
Read more here.
Filed under: Information | Tagged: 800, 800 number, 800 numbers, toll free | Leave a comment »
Posted on August 6, 2009 by smsgov
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.
Filed under: Information | Tagged: 1-800 numbers. toll free number, fcc, fcc law, toll free | Leave a comment »
Posted on August 5, 2009 by smsgov
The question of just how many really good toll free numbers remain available for new subscribers continues to circle throughout the telecommunications world. While we don’t have a precise figure, we can say for certain that the well is running dry. Experts advise that anyone interested in a toll free number should consider getting one immediately. There are an average of between 6,000 and 8,000 new toll free numbers registered daily. With a limited number of numerical possibilities, the finite supply could eventually be depleted.
Filed under: Information | Tagged: 1-800, telecommunications, toll free, toll free numbers, tollfree | Leave a comment »
Posted on August 4, 2009 by smsgov
During a recent discussion with members of the Tollfree Advisory Committee, it was agreed that if the database of toll free numbers isn’t beefed up soon, the finite supply of toll free numbers could run out. Last year, a plea for the deactivation of unused 800 numbers resulted in a temporary 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 toll free number each day. It’s time for some action.
Filed under: Information | Tagged: toll free, toll free practices | Leave a comment »
Posted on August 3, 2009 by smsgov
1-800 numbers are available from large phone companies and from federally approved toll free service providers, Responsible Organizations. These smaller companies have the same access to the database of available phone numbers as AT&T and Verizon. However, service fees and features can vary greatly so the best thing we can do is to advise subscribers to research several toll free providers before signing up.
Filed under: Information | Tagged: 1-800, toll free, toll free number | Leave a comment »
Posted on August 3, 2009 by smsgov
The demand for retired numbers is so great that some companies are charging subscribers thousands of dollars to reserve one. Industry experts say that turnover of claimed numbers is minimal because toll free service is so effective and profitable that businesses, organizations, and non-profits who secure an 800 number tend to keep it.
Read more here.
Filed under: Information | Tagged: 800 numbers, long distance, toll free, toll free numbers | Leave a comment »
Posted on August 2, 2009 by smsgov
Toll free service has a long history. 800 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 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 FCC to introduce a new pre-fix.
Read more here.
Filed under: Information | Tagged: 800 number, 800 numbers, free, toll, toll free, voip | Leave a comment »
Posted on August 1, 2009 by smsgov
From Dealer Marketing Magazine: Times have changed and finding the perfect and available toll-free phone number to use in your advertising campaigns is a challenge. Sure, you can get any numeric toll-free from your phone company, but who wants that? You want something unique and, in today’s economic environment, you need something unique to brand your dealership, bring in more leads, and stand out from your competition.
Filed under: Information | Tagged: 1 800 numbers, auto dealers, marketing, toll free, toll free numbers | Leave a comment »
Posted on August 1, 2009 by smsgov
To overcome shortages of 1-800 numbers in the past, 888 and 877 were introduced in 1996 and 1998 respectively. Then, in 2000 the 866 numbers debuted. But toll free numbers have become such a valuable commodity that the stock is once again depleted. With an estimated five year wait before another new pre-fix is added, experts advise that obtaining a number immediately is essential.
Read more here.
Filed under: Information | Tagged: 822, 833, 844, 855, 855 number, 855 numbers, fcc, sms800, toll free | Leave a comment »
