Understanding Toll Free Service.
There are tens of millions of potential toll free numbers, each beginning with one of four area codes—888, 877, 866 or 855. And all these numbers fall within one of several categories. Below is a primer for understanding the basics of toll free phone service.
Available numbers: These are the phone numbers currently available for use on the SMS/800 database. These numbers have either never been used or have been retired back into the system. Providers like Tollfreenumber.ORG can secure a subscriber a number from the available pool of toll free numbers.
Retired or Disconnected Numbers: These are numbers that have been forfeited by their owners and are either waiting to be re-introduced to the database (called the aging process) or have already been returned for another subscriber to select and use.
Active number: The largest group of toll free numbers are active—meaning someone is using the number. Estimates suggest that between 60-65% of all toll free numbers (800,888,877, and 866 collectively) are being actively used. Nearly all the 800 area code numbers---more than 90 percent--are active.
Reserved numbers. A provider can temporarily reserve a phone number for a subscriber if they find a perfect customized number they want. But the numbers must be secured quickly and cannot remain reserved indefinitely.
All four of the toll free area codes work the same way—all are free for the caller in the United States and Canada. The 800 area code was first introduced by AT&T in 1967. When those numbers ran low in the 1990s, the FCC introduced the 888, 877 and 866 numbers. Toll free works through the regular phone system and subscribers do not need any additional installations or phone set-ups.
The FCC is holding additional numbers with 855, 844, 833 and 822 area codes in reserve and will release them for use when the available numbers run dry. These numbers cannot be reserved or secured now but trained staff at providers like Tollfreenumber.ORG can advise customers what to expect when the new area codes are released and how best to obtain a premium number. Go to Tollfreenumber.ORG for additional information.
Available numbers: These are the phone numbers currently available for use on the SMS/800 database. These numbers have either never been used or have been retired back into the system. Providers like Tollfreenumber.ORG can secure a subscriber a number from the available pool of toll free numbers.
Retired or Disconnected Numbers: These are numbers that have been forfeited by their owners and are either waiting to be re-introduced to the database (called the aging process) or have already been returned for another subscriber to select and use.
Active number: The largest group of toll free numbers are active—meaning someone is using the number. Estimates suggest that between 60-65% of all toll free numbers (800,888,877, and 866 collectively) are being actively used. Nearly all the 800 area code numbers---more than 90 percent--are active.
Reserved numbers. A provider can temporarily reserve a phone number for a subscriber if they find a perfect customized number they want. But the numbers must be secured quickly and cannot remain reserved indefinitely.
All four of the toll free area codes work the same way—all are free for the caller in the United States and Canada. The 800 area code was first introduced by AT&T in 1967. When those numbers ran low in the 1990s, the FCC introduced the 888, 877 and 866 numbers. Toll free works through the regular phone system and subscribers do not need any additional installations or phone set-ups.
The FCC is holding additional numbers with 855, 844, 833 and 822 area codes in reserve and will release them for use when the available numbers run dry. These numbers cannot be reserved or secured now but trained staff at providers like Tollfreenumber.ORG can advise customers what to expect when the new area codes are released and how best to obtain a premium number. Go to Tollfreenumber.ORG for additional information.
Labels: 1-800 numbers. 800 numbers, toll free
posted by Tollfreenumber.ORG @ 6:00 AM
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