Facts About Toll Free Numbers

Posted by Mudassar Ali on July 24th, 2018

Toll free numbers have been around for more than 35 years. They are regulated by the FCC and in addition to the 800 prefix, toll free numbers also now include the prefixes 888, 866, and 877. The prefixes 844, 833, and 822 have been reserved for use as toll free numbers in the future.


Toll Free Number Facts
You can use toll free numbers for home or business use, as needed. Toll free numbers differ from other numbers in that someone who subscribes to a toll free number must pay for incoming calls, rather than the caller. Here are some additional facts about toll free numbers.


Area Codes: Customers can locate the businesses they are dealing with by the specified area code in the toll free number. This is also a promotional tool when you are working with clients outside of your region.


Prefix Classes: Because they have been around for so long, there are now several different toll free prefixes, as well as 1-800. These number codes include 866, 877, and 888. However, of all the prefixes, 800 is considered to be the most prestigious. This is why 1-800 vanity numbers are often more expensive than vanity numbers with one of the other prefixes.


Repeat Numbers: One effective way to ensure that customers remember your number is to subscribe to a repeater toll free number.  A repeater is one in which the suffix has two or three digits in a repeat sequence. Because they are so easy to remember, many companies use them in online, television, and radio ads.


Multiple Numbers: If your company has more than one location you can use the same toll free number with a different area code. You can also give your service provider a call divert list so that incoming calls can be rerouted to another number and you will never miss a call.


Calling Toll Free Numbers: Because toll free numbers are a part of the North American dialing plan, people can use them to make and receive calls anywhere within the United States. However, people outside North America cannot place a call to a phone number with a toll free prefix without having to pay international calling charges.


Ownership of Toll Free Numbers: You can purchase a toll free number from a provider such as Global Call Forwarding. You then own the number outright and can port it to another provider at any time. If you already have a toll free number, you can port it to Global Call Forwarding. You can also add additional toll free numbers to your account for a monthly fee.


Call Forwarding: Most service providers will allow you to have your toll free calls forwarded to your cell phone, office phone, landline, or VoIP.  


Billing Toll Free Calls: Toll free numbers are usually billed in six-second increments. This means that if you don’t talk for a full minute, you don’t get charged for one.


International Toll Free Numbers: There are three types of international toll free numbers. Traditional international toll free numbers are country-specific. For example, if this is a French toll free number, only callers within France can use it. Another type is an international toll free number with a service which redirects all calls to a mobile number or landline in a different country. The third type is a universal toll free number. This number can be used to make toll free calls in multiple countries.


Vanity Numbers: A vanity number is a toll free number which has an easily remembered sequence of numbers or letters representing the numbers. For example, 1-800-FLOWERS, or 241-PIZZA. Vanity numbers can be great for your business because they are so easy for your customers to remember. Studies show that vanity phone numbers are indeed a valuable business asset because they generate a higher response rate from potential customers than regular numbers do. The greater your call volume, the more sales you will make.


Number Hoarding: Toll free numbers are regulated by the FCC. The warehousing, or hoarding of toll free numbers is illegal. This involves the purchasing of large blocks of toll free numbers by service providers or other businesses to resell, while charging a premium fee.


Myths About Toll Free Numbers

Here are some common myths about toll free numbers:
- They are too expensive for small businesses.
- The best toll free numbers are already taken.
- You need additional staff to handle toll free numbers.
- Toll free numbers are outmoded.
- They are complicated to set up.
- If your business relocates, you must change the number.
- Toll free numbers only come with a 1-800 prefix.


Get Toll Free Numbers for Your Business
If you are considering a toll free number for your business, contact Global Call Forwarding. Their team will be happy to discuss your options and help you get a toll free number that’s right for your business.