Posted on June 21, 2009 by smsgov
Toll free service has gone through several incarnations over the past four decades. First, 800 numbers were primarily used by big business. This is still the case—almost all of the Fortune 500 companies have an 800 number. Then, toll free service became more affordable and easy to obtain, causing a surge in use by small businesses, online companies, and not-for-profits. Now, personal use is all the rage.
Read more here.
Filed under: Information | Tagged: 800, 800 numbers, 866, 877, 888, home phone, local, local numbers, numbers, phone number, phone numbers, toll free | Leave a comment »
Posted on June 20, 2009 by smsgov
The proposed hike in the interstate telephone contribution that consumers might soon be paying into the Universal Service Fund was recently criticized by the National Association of State Utility Consumer Advocates. The increase would bring the USF contribution to 12.9% of a users bill, compared with the current 11.4%. Every telephone user in the country pays into the USF already. The monies are used to maintain and subsidize rural telephone service to places where it would otherwise be prohibitively expensive.
The USF is controlled by the Universal Service Administrative Company, and overseen by a joint board consisting of FCC and state-level commissioners.
Filed under: Information | Tagged: 1-800, fcc, phone service, telecommunications, toll free | Leave a comment »
Posted on June 18, 2009 by smsgov
Pfizer has launched a new toll free number as part of a program to provide people with free prescription drugs for up to a year to people who have lost their jobs and health insurance. To be eligible, people must have lost their job since January 1st and have been on Pfizer drugs for three months or more before that. Patients can call a toll-free number, 866-706-2400, to sign up.
Filed under: Information | Tagged: Pfizer, toll free, toll free services | Leave a comment »
Posted on June 18, 2009 by smsgov
Power companies all along the East Coast are in the process of setting up toll free numbers in case of a hurricane this summer. As the annual storm season approaches, and with predictions indicating a high number of hurricanes in 2009, toll free phone service will be one of the main ways people can obtain information prior to the storm and assistance, if necessary, afterwards. For example, Virginia Dominion Power has set up 1-888-667-3000 to report outages or downed lines. The company’s outage reporting system, which consists of call-center representatives as well as an automated voice response unit, can handle up to 100,000 calls an hour.
Filed under: Information | Tagged: 1 800 numbers, 1-800 numbers. toll free numbers. tollfree. phone service, toll free, toll free service | Leave a comment »
Posted on June 16, 2009 by smsgov
A proposed merger of Frontier Communication Corporation and Verizon Communications, Inc. that could affect 500,000 subscribers will undergo comprehensive consumer input, including public hearings, and a close examination by state regulators. Frontier and Verizon announced their merger request in May. Under Ohio law, the merger is automatically approved if the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) fails to suspend the process within 30 days of the application.
Filed under: Information | Tagged: phone service, telecommunications, toll free, verizon | Leave a comment »
Posted on June 16, 2009 by smsgov
Telecommunications experts recommend that anyone wishing to obtain a toll free number secure one immediately. There are an average of 8,000 new toll free numbers registered each day. With a limited number of numerical possibilities, the supply is nearly expended. Advisors say the most effective and affordable way to obtain a toll free number before supplies run out is to contact a reliable toll free service provider. A few examples are Verizon or Qwest. These providers can quickly assist subscribers in finding a quality toll free number.
Read more here.
Filed under: Uncategorized | Tagged: 800 number, 800 numbers, free, toll, toll free, voip | 1 Comment »
Posted on June 15, 2009 by smsgov
Attended a very interesting telecommunications conference last last week, At one workshop, a member of the Tollfree Advisory Committee at SMSGOV.com discussed that the scarcity of available, good toll free numbers is causing a surge of subscribers scurrying to obtain toll free. Some of the attendees at the meeting fear that small businesses nationwide could see disastrous economic fallout. Toll free numbers are proven as an effective marking strategy that increases customer base and boosts revenue. The depletion of supplies are creating much discussion within the industry.
Filed under: Information | Tagged: 1-800, 800 numbers, smsgov, toll free | Leave a comment »
Posted on June 15, 2009 by smsgov
The FCC does not play a role in the assignment of numbers to subscribers. However they do set and regulate the guidelines under which 800 numbers can be used and obtained. According to the FCC, hoarding and warehousing numbers is prohibited and punishable with severe fines.
Read more here.
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Posted on June 15, 2009 by smsgov
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.
Filed under: Information | Tagged: 866, 866 number, 866 numbers, phone numbers, toll free | Leave a comment »
Posted on June 13, 2009 by smsgov
Along with hoarding, the outright sale of specific toll free numbers is likewise illegal. Some crafty entrepreneurs have attempted to skirt the regulations by “leasing” or “renting” numbers. But industry insiders say the crackdown on illegal use of toll free numbers is aimed at this practice too.
Read more here.
Filed under: Information | Tagged: 800, fcc, free, number, numbers, toll, toll free | Leave a comment »
