How do 800 Toll-Free Numbers work?
Toll-free numbers are numbers that begin with one of the following three-digit codes: 800, 888, 877, 866, 855 or 844. Toll-free numbers allow callers to reach businesses and/or individuals without being charged for the call, the business can be located globally. The charge for using a toll-free number is paid by the called party (the toll-free subscriber / Business owner) instead of the calling party. Toll-free numbers can be dialed directly to your business or personal telephone line in any country on any phone as pre 800.com
Toll-Free numbers are very common and have proven successful for businesses, particularly in the areas of customer service and telemarketing. Toll-free service provides potential customers and others with a “free” and convenient way to contact businesses. US consumers are seven times more likely to call a Toll-Free number than a traditional local number when doing business with an out-of-state business and US consumers have a higher sense of confidence when a business has a Toll-Free number.
Toll-free numbers are also increasingly popular for personal use. For example, parents can obtain toll-free numbers to give to a young adult who is away at college, allowing that young adult to call home anytime without having to make a collect call or pay for the call in addition to posting ADs on sites such as www.ebay.com, http://www.craigslist.org and dating sites.
Toll-Free Numbers – 800, 888, 877, 866, 855, 844
Today, there are five toll-free codes: 800, 888, 877, 866, 855 and 844. Although 800, 888, 877, 866, 855 and 844 are all toll-free codes, they are not interchangeable. 1-800-234-5678 is not the same number as 1-888-234-5678. Calls to each toll-free number are routed to a specific local telephone number.
Toll-Free Directory Assistance
Toll-free directory assistance for some toll-free numbers can be obtained by calling 1-800-555-1212. The service is free. Not all toll-free numbers are listed – only the numbers for subscribers that choose to list them. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) plans to address how to promote competition among multiple providers of directory assistance, including directory assistance for toll-free numbers.
How Are Toll-Free Numbers Assigned?
Toll-free numbers are assigned on a first-come, first-served basis by entities referred to as “Responsible Organizations” or “RespOrgs,” or other toll-free service providers. These entities, which may or may not be telephone companies, have access to the SMS/800 database, which contains information regarding the status of all toll-free numbers. RespOrgs are certified by the SMS/800 database administrator, which manages toll-free service.
Contact a RespOrg or http://www.800.com/plans order online or call 1-800-800-4321 if you want to obtain a toll-free number. These entities can access the database and reserve a number for subscribers. There are several hundred RespOrgs and toll-free service providers in the United States. You can find a complete list on the SMS/800 website, or you may call 800-800-4321
How To Get A Toll Free Number? What Is the FCC’s Role?
The FCC regulates and creates the rules under which toll-free numbers can be used or obtained. The FCC requires that toll-free numbers be portable or transferable to different providers, meaning that a toll-free number subscriber can port there number to a new provider when changing toll-free number service providers. The FCC’s rules designate the criteria for determining the status of each toll-free number.
The FCC, however, is not involved in the day-to-day assignment of toll-free numbers, does not have direct access to the toll-free number database, and cannot provide any information about the status of a toll-free number or a request for a toll-free number. A telephone industry standards-setting organization establishes guidelines for toll-free numbers, and the guidelines must comply with the FCC’s requirements.
What are "Vanity" Toll Free Numbers and How Can I Get One?
A "vanity" toll free number is a toll-free telephone number that also spells a person’s or company’s name or spells a word or acronym that is chosen by the subscriber, such as 1-800-GET-VoIP or 1-800-TALK-TIME. To find out whether a specific toll-free number is available, contact http://www.800.com
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