855 Numbers

Ok, everyone is asking....what is the deal with the 855 numbers? The answer depends on whom you ask.

First, a little background. When 800 numbers began running low in the mid-1990s, the 888 and 877 numbers were released to ease the burden. When those supplies started running dry, 866 was launched. Today, the 855 pre-fixes are being held in reserve by the Federal Communications Commission (along with 844, 833 and so on). The idea is that when supplies of all the remaining 800, 888, 877, and 866 numbers become scarce, the FCC will launch 855 numbers to address the problem. Simple, right? Well, sort of.

The problem is that some people in the industry are very concerned about the dwindling supplies of toll free numbers. And they are wondering when the 855 numbers will finally be released. Others say there are enough numbers remaining---for the moment. But with millions of new users signing up with companies like Tollfreenumber.ORG every day, those available numbers are being used up fast.

There were reports in the fall of 2000 that the 855 numbers were to be released on the heels of the 866 pre-fixes. But it never happened. To this day, with more than two-thirds of the available toll free numbers taken, the FCC has yet to announce exactly when it will launch 855.

Some anticipate that the 855 numbers could be released within the next couple of years. Still, others say it won’t likely happen until 2011.

Having the reserve of new numbers gives some sense of security to those in the industry. But the uncertainty over when they will be launched is something everyone is wondering about.