Featured VoIP Providers that Offer Toll-Free Number

The 1st generation of Toll-Free phone calls began in 1967 when AT&T used this method as an alternative to collect calling to reduce the need for paid operators. This service, called INWATS, or Inward Wide-Area Telephone Service was improved by Roy P. Weber in 1978. Weber’s Pat. No. 4,191,860 was filed July 13, 1978 and issued March 4, 1980. AT&T began to use this new technology in 1981.

From the inception of 800 Toll-Free numbers to AT&T’s breakup in 1984, this company carried a monopoly on assigning 800 numbers to subscribing customers. Even after AT&T’s breakup, customers were locked into a system that forced them to choose Toll-Free numbers from large carriers. Once a customer obtained a Toll-Free number from a carrier, that customer needed to stay with the carrier or change the Toll-Free number when switching carriers.

In 1991 the FCC ordered the implementation of 800-number portability by 1993. Now, subscribers can switch from one carrier to another without losing their Toll-Free number. The FCC’s rules designate the criteria for determining the status of each toll-free number, and this organization prohibits “warehousing” and “hoarding” Toll-Free numbers.

How It Works

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.

Businesses use Toll-Free numbers as a convenience for their customers, since the call is ‘free’ for the customer. The business pays for the call, and the originating call may be limited to the U.S., with other numbers to use outside this country. Parents now use Toll-Free numbers for their college-aged children so that the teen doesn’t need to pay for the call home.

What You’ll Need

Businesses or individuals can contact a RespOrg or other Toll-Free service provider to obtain a Toll-Free number. These entities can gain access to the database and reserve a number for subscribers. Several hundred RespOrgs and Toll-Free service providers exist in the U.S. A complete list is found on the SMS/800 Web site (SMS800.com) or a call can be placed to the SMS/800 Help Desk at 1-888-SMS-3300 (1-800-???-3300). Any phone can be utilized as a Toll-Free number phone.

Types Offered

Today, there are four Toll-Free codes: 800, 888, 877, and 866. Although 800, 888, 877, and 866 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 particular local telephone number.

Businesses also may seek what are known as “vanity” numbers. These numbers are Toll-Free telephone numbers that also spell a person’s or company’s name or a word or acronym that is chosen by the subscriber, such as 1-800-FLOWERS or 1-888-FREEDOM. To find out whether a specific toll-free number is available, contact any RespOrg or toll-free service provider.

Featured VoIP Providers that Offer Toll-Free Number

Featured VoIP Providers

All VoIP Providers that Offer Toll-Free Number