Owners of Unused 1-800 Numbers Urged to Relieve Demand

Posted on July 7, 2008 by smsgov

With the availability of new 1-800 numbers rapidly declining as demand for toll free service skyrockets, industry insiders are urging the owners of unused toll free numbers to release them back into the system.

Experts say if the database of numbers isn’t beefed up soon, the finite supply of toll free numbers could run out. It is estimated that 8,000 numbers are registered each day.

The value of toll free service has become a necessity for any business. The limited availability of new numbers and the limited turnover of used numbers have created an intense and competitive demand for 1-800, 888, 877 and 866 numbers. According to the FCC, popularity of toll free service is increasing for both business and personal use.

When an 800 number is disconnected, it goes into what is referred to as the aging process. At some point it becomes available on the 800 Service Management System (SMS/800) database. Then the race is on to obtain it.

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.

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. Yet, the supply of 800 numbers, including vanity numbers, is at an all-time low with more than two-thirds of the available numbers taken. There are no immediate plans by the FCC to introduce a new pre-fix. In fact, insiders say the reserved 855 numbers may not be launched until 2011.

Advisors say the best way to obtain a toll free number before the supply runs out is to use a reliable toll free service provider that has access to the database of available numbers.

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Toll Free 855 Numbers Will Not Yet Be Released

Posted on June 25, 2008 by smsgov

Widespread concerns about the dwindling supply of toll free numbers may not be addressed anytime soon. According to sources at the 800 Service Management System (SMS/800) the reserved 855 pre-fix, intended to restore stocks of toll free numbers, may not be released by the Federal Communications Commission for several years. In fact, industry insiders say the release of 855 may be put off until 2011.

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.

The value of a 1-800 number has become a necessity for any business. Toll free numbers allow callers to reach businesses, organizations and even friends and relatives without being charged for the call. A toll free number lends credibility to any business, enhances customer service, and increases customer confidence. There are no additional installations needed for a 1-800 number and the calls can be routed to any cell phone, landline, or fax. Studies show that sales can double and word of mouth referrals can increase by as much as 200% making toll free service indispensible for business.

With several million new toll free numbers registered each year, the supply of toll free numbers is quickly depleting. The scarcity is causing a rush to obtain new toll free numbers or to register for disconnected numbers returned back to the system. Experts say this type of intense demand can lead to price-gouging and unethical hidden fees. The safest and most cost effective way to secure a toll free number is to contact a reputable service provider such as the one we list on our COMPANIES page at SMSGOV.COM.

Once someone obtains a toll free number, they can retain it permanently. The number is portable and moves with the household, organization, or company. With the finite supply of 1-800 numbers diminishing and new numbers not expected to be introduced for several years, experts advise that anyone interested in a toll free phone number should get one immediately.

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Toll Free 1-800 Number Supply Reaches An All-Time Low

Posted on June 25, 2008 by smsgov

An unprecedented decrease in the availability of 1-800 numbers has business owners and organizations nationwide scrambling to subscribe for toll free service.

With more than 8,000 toll free numbers registered each day, the supply of available numbers is quickly depleting. This scarcity is causing a rush to obtain new toll free numbers or obtain disconnected numbers returned back to the system.

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.

According to the FCC, toll free numbers “have proven successful for businesses and are increasingly popular for personal use.” Toll free phone numbers give companies an edge over the competition by allowing customers to call for information on a product or service without being charged. This type of personal service is key to a successful business. The ability to speak to a company representative about the product, shipping options and availability of the item provides a sense of security in the product and lends legitimacy to the business.

But the limited availability of toll free numbers could have an impact on small business owners. The supply is the lowest it has ever been, while popularity of 1-800 numbers is soaring. Insiders fear that customers waiting to secure a toll free 1-800 number or vanity number may find the supply of suitable numbers gone.

Experts say the demand drastically outweighs supply and advise that the only way to guarantee obtaining a toll free number is to get one immediately.

When a 1-800 number is disconnected and cooled-off, it is returned to the database and becomes instantly in demand. Waiting for a “perfect” retired number is a mistake. Only a small percentage of used numbers become available each year; and new unused numbers are going fast. The most cost effective and efficient way to secure a toll free number is to contact a reputable service provider such as the ones listed on https://smsgov.com/companies/ for example. With these types of services, securing a number can be completed by phone or on the website in just minutes.

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Fiber-Optic Toll Free Service

Posted on June 22, 2008 by smsgov

As the use of toll free phone service grows at record rates, the popularity of fiber optic toll free service is now far exceeding that of VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) service.

In fact, recent news reports indicate that many companies are dropping VoIP systems and replacing them with fiber optic service, the most advanced technology available.

Fiber optics used for telecommunications is considered far more reliable than VoIP, particularly for long distance calls, because it allows for longer intervals of signal transmission without interruptions. Fiber optics provides a quality connection that ensures clarity in every call. With this technology, optical fibers are used instead of metal, reducing lost connections from electromagnetic interference.

Fiber optics is also considered more secure. It is difficult, if not impossible, to detect motion through the fibers. This reduces concerns over phone calls being improperly monitored.

Some companies such use exclusively fiber optic technology. Other toll free number service providers still use the less reliable VoIP, which does not provide the consistent connections of fiber optics. In fact, in some circumstances with VoIP, if the power fails, phone calls cannot be transmitted at all.

To avoid gaps in telephone service and to ensure clear connections, experts recommend using fiber optics for secure and reliable phone connections.

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How does toll free telephone service work?

Posted on June 20, 2008 by smsgov

Toll free numbers enable callers to reach businesses, organizations, and non-profits without having to pay for the call. This marketing tool has been so successful that the available 800 numbers are decreasing while demand is growing at unprecedented rates.

A toll free number forward to, or rings, at any local number and on any phone. It does not require a special set-up of installation of any kind. There are four toll free pre-fixes, 800, 888, 877, and 866, and they all work the same way. Calls to these numbers are charged to the subscriber, not to the caller. Vanity numbers spell a word or phrase that relates to the business.

Available numbers are managed through a database maintained by the 800 Services Management System (SMS/800). Service providers assign and reserve numbers off the database for their customers on a first-come, first-served basis. To get started, subscribers simply contact a service provider such as the ones we list on our site SMSGOV.com and find a suitable vanity number or numerical sequence, then sign on for service.

When choosing toll free service, subscribers typically can select from a menu of services—calls routed to land lines, faxes, emails etc. and a variety of other features that suit their needs and their budget. Once a number is assigned, it stays with the owner permanently. If a company grows or moves locations, the numbers remains, safeguarding the connection to all their customers.

According to the FCC, toll free numbers are becoming increasingly popular for business and personal use. Toll free numbers increase market reach, enhance customer confidence, establish recognition of brand image, and sustain businesses during times of a weak economy.

The popularity of the 1-800 number, launched in 1967, led the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to add the new pre-fixes 888 and 877 in the mid-1990s. When availability of those numbers plummeted, 866 was added in 2000 to overcome the shortage.

Industry insiders are looking ahead to the release of the 855 numbers reserved by the FCC. However, the launch of these numbers is not expected anytime soon and experts advise that anyone looking for toll free service should sign on now. Waiting for the “perfect” toll free number is a mistake. Dwindling stock and increase demand is creating a competitive market for 800 numbers.

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Explanation of the Communications Assistance for Law Enforcement Act (CALEA)

Posted on June 18, 2008 by smsgov

In 1994 as a means of keeping up with emerging digital technology, the United States Congress approved the Communications for Law Enforcement Act (CALEA). The regulations were intended to preserve a wiretapping law put in place in 1968 and allow wiretapping over digital phone networks.

CALEA requires telecommunications carriers to modify their equipment, facilities, and services to aid surveillance capabilities. Initially there was some question as to whether this would apply to VoIP—Voice Over Internet Protocol service—but in 2005 the courts ruled that indeed VoIP must comply with CALEA.

As part of an investigation, law enforcement agencies or intelligence services can tap into a phone call or trace the origin of the call without advising any of the parties involved in the communications.

This means that all VoIP phone service, including toll free providers using VoIP, is subjected to the surveillance provisions under CALEA.

In fact, all telecommunications companies as defined by CALEA must maintain updated system securities plans with the Federal Communications Commission. Internet providers and VOIP service providers were required to submit their initial plan by March 2007 and now must provide updated material as mandated by CALEA.

Virtually all common carriers and telecommunications companies are subject to the regulations under CALEA. This means all telephone communications can be monitored as part of legal, warranted, surveillance by law enforcement agencies. However, fiber optic communications are a possible exception for some wiretapping purposes because detecting transmission through the fiber optic cables is very difficult.

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What role does the FCC play in toll free phone numbers?

Posted on June 18, 2008 by smsgov

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regulates the use of toll-free numbers and establishes rules on how they can be obtained and used.

Launched in 1967 by AT&T, 800 numbers came under the purview of the FCC in the 1980s when the phone service monopoly broke apart. In 1991, the FCC required that toll-free numbers be portable, meaning that a toll-free number subscriber can “port” his or her number to a new provider when changing toll-free number service providers.

When the popular 800 numbers became scarce, the FCC introduced the 888 and 877 numbers in the mid-1990s and the 866 pre-fix in 2000. Available stock of toll free numbers is quickly depleting and industry insiders are awaiting the release of the 855 numbers currently reserved by the FCC. Insiders say these numbers may not be released for several years.

FCC’s rules designate the criteria for determining the status of each toll-free number, and prohibit “warehousing” and “hoarding” of toll-free numbers. However, the FCC does not oversee the assignment of toll-free numbers and does not have direct access to the toll-free number database maintained by the 800 Services Management System (SMS/800).

The FCC cannot provide any information about the status of a toll-free number or a request for a toll-free number on behalf of a customer. The FCC cannot reserve or hold numbers for a customer but they can mediate conflicts that arise over rights of ownership of specific numbers.

The FCC can intervene if they find a number is being used in a manner contrary to the established regulations. For instance, in 2005 the FCC took control of 1-800 RED-CROSS from a private owner and handed it over to the non-profit.

The value of toll free service has become a necessity for any type of business. The limited availability of new numbers and the limited turnover of used numbers have created an intense and competitive demand for 1-800, 888, 877 and 866 numbers. According to the FCC, popularity of toll free service has increased drastically over the past decade for both business and personal use.

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Beware of the Toll-Free Ownership Certificate Scam

Posted on May 13, 2008 by smsgov

ATTENTION:  ALL RESPONSIBLE ORGANIZATIONS

Beware of Fake Ownership Certificates While Porting Toll Free Numbers To Your RespOrg.

A number of telephone companies have been reporting that they are receiving an influx of new toll-free customers that want the telephone company to port a “new” 800 number to their resporg.

Your new customer may attempt to provide what they believe to be a “legitimate” certificate showing that they have the legal rights to the specified 800, 888, 877 or 866 phone number.  Oftentimes these customers have paid upto $5000 for this certificate, but unfortunately they were scammed.

scammer2These home-made 800 number ownership certificates are often made on home computers, they look like they could be authentic but they are far from it.  They come in a variety of designs.

Please note: there have also been unconfirmed reports that con artists are also giving out fake telephone bills (page 1 of the bill) as a secondary proof of ownership.  Neither of these are real or valid and should not be accepted by your company.

The scam works like this…
The con artist will tell the prospective target that they have (or can obtain) toll free numbers for them to have, something that would be too good to be true like 1-800-123-4567.  They typically charge anywhere from a few dollars to $5000 depending on how much they think their target is worth.   The seller of the toll free numbers will then issue what they claim to be a certificate showing that their target is the owner of the new 800 numbers.  The con artist will then tell their target that in order to use the toll-free number; they must transfer it to another phone company.  The con artist coaches the target on how to use this fake certificate to attempt to acquire phone service.

The Federal Communications Commission regulates the use of toll free numbers in the United States and they specifically prohibit this type of “brokering” of toll free numbers.  The article asks that you contact the FCC regarding this scam.

If you encounter this scam, it’s illegal and should be reported to the FCC for investigation.  If you encounter anyone who has been a victim of this scam, please give them the FCC phone number to call and report it 888-CALL-FCC.

Federal Communications Commission
445 12th Street SW                1(888)CALL-FCC
Washington, DC 20554                1(888)225-5322

How to avoid this scam
When porting a toll-free number into your company, always require a copy of your customers’ recent toll-free telephone bill issued from a legitimate Resp-org and verify that the name on the bill and the ring-down number match your records.  (make sure the bill is not fake) and make sure your customers identity is true.  More on transferring a number

Text from:

http://www.free-press-release.com/news/200807/1217114562.html

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