Toll Free Numbers

Is 866 a toll free number? I hear this type of questions all the time. We know that the 800 area code belongs to a toll free number, but many people don't know that this is not the only toll free area code. Back in the 1960's when 1-800 numbers where first introduced they probably did not expect the explosion of their popularity. The possible combinations with the 800 numbers seem endless, but in the late 80's and early 90's they realized that they were eventually going to run out of available phone number combinations. That is because many companies not only offer them for customer service but also for their fax transmission. Almost every major company in America offers a toll free number for their orders, customer service and fax machines. Even individuals have increased the demands. With people living further apart these days they are looking for ways to keep in touch and toll free numbers are filling a certain niche.

When phone service providers realized the supply and demand were not remaining equal they came up with a solution. They would add other area codes to the toll free numbers list. They had to come up with area codes that were not already in service. The first few they came up with are 888, 877, and 866. The area code 888 was the first new toll free number area code that was introduced. It began being available in 1996. The toll-free area code 877 was then added in 1998 and 866 was added into circulation in 2000. With business expansion and online marketing the regulators felt like even these three additional area codes were not going to be enough.

So there are four additional toll-free area codes that are held in reserve in case they are needed. The 855 number has been available for use since 2000 but has not been necessary to use yet. The last three are just being held just in case and they are 844, 833, and 822. So there are plenty of toll free numbers in reserve. Become familiar with these new area codes will take sometime. Some of them are very close to long distance area codes. For example 860 is the area code for Northwestern Connecticut. So as they add them there will be a lot of advertising so that the public is not confused. But as you can see, they follow a pattern, the number 8 then a double-digit number (i.e.. 77,66,55).

If you call any number that begins with the area code 800, 888, 877, 866 you will not be charge any tolls because it is a toll free number. These phone numbers have been set up so you can dial them at no charge. So you have plenty of number combinations you can choose from, using all these area codes, now all you need to do is select a provider and get your toll free service.

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