Despite mass deactivation of 800 phone numbers, supplies still dwindling

Posted by Tollfreenumber.ORG  at December 17th, 2012

by Allan Bishop
TollfreeNumber.ORG

Recently, we reported on the shortage of 800 numbers, and asked that all current 800 area code number owners who were not utilizing their toll-free numbers discard and recycle them.

Given that supplies of 800 numbers are at an all-time low (less than 60K are available at the present time out of a nearly 10 million total), it’s important now more than ever to replenish the pool of 800 numbers.

It was made public that the 844 will NOT be released this year, despite the fact that those numbers were slated to become available in 2012, which makes the conservation and recycling of existing 800 numbers even more pertinent.

However, even though many have responded to this call to action to return your unused 800 numbers back to the spare pool, supplies are still dwindling, and more numbers are still needed to replenish the stock.

The importance of returning your unused number to the spare pool.

All of the signs are pointing to a significant impending 800 number shortage. With 800 number supplies at an all-time low, business owners who are trying to get the ideal toll free number to enhance their marketing efforts have to settle for less effective numbers.

If you were to return your unused 800 number to the spare pool, however, you would be giving someone who would put it to good use the opportunity to achieve their goals.

Though some might argue that giving back an inactive 800 number may not be high on the list of charitable acts, it is one which will give another individual the chance to make the most of something that you are not using whatsoever, and gain immense benefit from it.

As an added bonus, you won’t have to continue to pay any monthly service costs associated with your 800 number, and can even choose to purchase another number that may be more beneficial for you or your business.

The argument for giving back your 800 number at TollfreeNumber.ORG.

Though many 800 number owners did respond to our first call to action to return their numbers back to the spare pool, the supply of 800 numbers is still depleted and only dwindling further.

In 1996 the FCC released the 888 number, due to the overwhelming demand for 800 numbers, and hoped that this new area code would slow down the depletion of the 800 number supply. However, by 2000 there were only 1 million 800 numbers still available for purchase.

A little over a decade later, that number has plummeted to 60,000, with demand for 800 numbers on the rise. This staggering dip, mixed with the fact that no new number area codes are slated to be released until at least late 2013, means that the 800 number shortage has the potential of becoming a significant problem for business owners who want to market their business with an 800 number, only to find that there are no more left which are suitable.

If you have an unused 800 number and would like to return it to the spare pool, you may do so at TollfreeNumber.ORG. You may also purchase alternative toll free numbers via the site as well.