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The central office code denotes the telephone exchange to which the phone number is mapped. All the remaining area codes represent the geopgraphic region to which a phone number belongs. Area codes are of two types - local and toll-free. 800, 844, 855, 866, 877, and 888 are the different toll-free codes. The 7-digit telephone number is further comprised of a 3-digit central office or exchange code and a 4-digit subscriber number. You've gone through the different area codes in the United States, but what do these numbers really mean? Phone numbers in the United States typically consist of 11 digits - the 1-digit country code, a 3-digit area code and a 7-digit telephone number. The FCC has provided an exception to the rules prohibiting warehousing, hoarding, and number brokering for numbers assigned via competitive bidding, such as the numbers assigned in the 833 Auction.Area code and other parts of a phone number

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Hoarding also includes the illegal practice of 'number brokering' – the selling or offering to sell a toll free number. A subscriber may not acquire more toll free numbers than the subscriber intends to use. 'Hoarding' by subscribers is similarly prohibited by FCC rules. RespOrgs who warehouse numbers are subject to penalties. A RespOrg may not legally reserve a toll free number without having an actual toll free subscriber for whom the number is being reserved. 'Warehousing,' 'hoarding' and 'brokering' toll free numbersįCC rules prohibit RespOrgs from 'warehousing' toll free numbers. Nor can the FCC provide any information about the status of a number.Ī 'vanity' number is a toll free telephone number that spells a name, word or acronym chosen by the subscriber, such as 1-800-FLOWERS or 1-888-NEW-CARS. However, the FCC is not involved in the actual assignment of toll free numbers and cannot access the number database. The FCC requires that toll free numbers be portable, meaning that a subscriber can 'port,' or move, their number to a new RespOrg when changing service providers. The FCC sets the rules for getting and using toll free numbers. If you need help locating a RespOrg, call or text the Somos Help Desk at 1-844-HEY SOMOS (1-84), or visit for assistance. You can contact a RespOrg if you want to obtain a toll free number. For more information about the 833 Auction, visit.

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The FCC made certain numbers in the 833 toll free code available via an auction. The 833 Auction is an experiment to determine how to use competitive bidding to most effectively assign toll free numbers. Many RespOrgs also provide toll free service. RespOrgs have access to a toll free database that contains information regarding the status of all toll free numbers. Somos, Inc., administrator of the toll free number database, certifies RespOrgs. Toll free subscribers choose entities called 'Responsible Organizations' or 'RespOrgs' to reserve numbers on their behalf and to manage and administer the appropriate records for the toll free subscribers. The FCC assigns most toll free numbers on a first-come, first-served basis. Calls to each toll free number are routed to a particular local telephone number. Dialing a number using a 1-800 prefix would reach a different recipient than dialing that number using a 1-888 prefix. Although 800, 888, 877, 866, 855, 844 and 833 are all toll free codes, they are not interchangeable.

Toll free numbers are numbers that begin with one of the following three-digit codes: 800, 888, 877, 866, 855, 844 or 833. Wireless callers, however, will be charged for the airtime minutes used during a toll free call unless they have an 'unlimited calling' plan.Ĭustomers can also send text messages to toll free numbers, so long as those numbers are 'text enabled,' and businesses can send texts in response. Toll free service has traditionally provided potential customers and others with a free and convenient way to contact businesses.

Toll free numbers are particularly common for customer-service calling. Such numbers allow callers to reach businesses and individuals out of the area without being charged a long-distance fee for the call. Toll free numbers are telephone numbers with distinct three-digit codes that can be dialed from landlines with no charge to the person placing the call.