I understand that the secret is in the number’s prefix. Of course I know that an 800 number is toll free (for me), but there are other numbers that I’m not sure about.
What say, Dopers?
800
888
877
866
855
Here is the North America Numbering Plan (NANP) site which has all the data that you could ever want…
Thanks, guys!
Well, if we talk about toll-free numbers, there are many like 800,888,877,866,845, etc. but all are not free. 800 numbers being international numbers can be called from any corner of the world from any mobile number without any charges. 888 numbers are free for call within UK and US only. 877 and 866 numbers can be called toll-free within US and Canada. So, in all, only 800 numbers are free worldwide and the others are mainly used in US and UK.
No. You are confusing a couple of concepts.
In the North American Numbering Plan (NANP) area, the area codes 800, 877, 866, and 855 are toll-free. That means that the called party pays toll charges. Note that if you are calling from a cell phone, you generally will still have to pay airtime charges for the call. Cell phone plans that do not include free domestic long distance are fairly rare today, so that generally means that there is no advantage in calling a domestic toll-free number from your cell phone.
The subscriber (the party that sets up the toll-free number) makes appropriate arrangements with their carrier for what geographic area they are willing to accept calls from. They can arrange to accept calls from the entire NANP, certain countries in the NANP, or even parts of certain countries in the NANP. It is for example, possible to get a toll-free number that accepts calls only from Canada or only from the state of Kansas. It is even possible to get a toll-free number that routes calls to a different call center depending on where the caller is dialing from. Whether the number is an 800, 877, 866, or 855 number makes no difference. You cannot determine the geographic limitations of a toll-free number from the number itself (at least not since number portability was introduced).
Some NANP toll-free numbers can be international (for example, between the United States and Canada). But they cannot allow for toll-free calling from outside the NANP under any circumstances. (There are ways that you might be able to reach them from outside the NANP, but the calls will not be toll-free.)
By the way, the NANP (World Zone 1) consists of Canada, the United States, and some Caribbean countries. It does not include Mexico.
Now, there is also something called a Universal International Freephone Number (UIFN).
UIFN is (confusingly) assigned country code 800. Note that this is not the same as area code 800 in the NANP. (The country code for the NANP is 1.) UIFN numbers are intended for international use and allow the caller to dial without paying international charges. A limited number of countries participate in UIFN.
Well, this is what I thought since I have my own toll-free number which goes as 888-xxx-xxxxand US and UK customers call in as a toll-free service from mobile (without having to pay any charges) while the others are charged when they call.
How to tell if you are punching a toll free number checklist:
1.) Is the number a 800, 888, 877, 866, 855, 844 number
2.) Is your hand in a fist
3.) Are you using your hand in the fist position to hit the numbers on the screen?
Great, now look at what you’ve done, you’ve broken your screen!!!
Moderator Note
DDeathlonger, we ask that old threads be bumped in General Questions only to add new factual information. Since this does not, I am closing it.
Colibri
General Questions Moderator