But time is running out to make the most out of this opportunity for your business. Why? Because the availability of high-quality 855 numbers is about to take a nose-dive…

When 855 numbers were released on October 9, 2010, they came out in a trickle. You see, SMS/800, the government agency that oversees the distribution of toll free numbers, is fairly smart. They know that whenever there’s opportunity, there are opportunists. In the case of 855 numbers, it’s in the form of hoarders and warehousers, companies that play Hungry Hungry Hippos for as many valuable toll free numbers as they can, then sit on them and resell them for ridiculous prices. Keep in mind, unlike domain names, brokering toll free numbers for anything beyond a reasonable setup fee is illegal. But that doesn’t stop those who don’t think they’ll get caught.

So SMS/800 put into place a 30-day rationing system that limited the amount of 855 numbers that could be reserved each day by a RespOrg (that’s Responsible Organization, or a company certified to handle toll free numbers). I say limited, past tense, because 855 number rationing is now over. 30 days is up, the flood gates have opened, and dozens of cherry-pickers are combing their way through heaps and heaps of numbers to find the ones they think will bring them the most money.

So this is our warning to you: don’t delay. If you’ve been thinking about getting a new 855 number for your business, or adding one to your existing FreedomVoice toll free service, act now before it’s too late. Check out our vanity search tool and hand-pick a vanity spelling you can use to boost your brand and advertising response rates for years to come.

Way back in the Year 2000, the FCC released the 866 toll free number prefix in order to ease the burden on 888, 877, and 800 numbers. Ten years later, with high quality vanity spellings a rare commodity, the FCC finally has stepped up and unleashed a whole new batch of numbers to champion your brand:  the 855 toll free prefix.

What does the release of 855 numbers mean for you and your business? In a word, opportunity.

For an entire decade, valuable vanity toll free number spellings have been locked up by those lucky enough to jump on them first. As much as a realtor might’ve want a number that ends in ‘HOMES’ or ‘HOUSE’ or a mortgage broker a number ending in ‘LOAN’, these numbers simply weren’t available.

But with the release of the 855 number prefix, thousands of matching vanity numbers are available for these terms all-at-once. Not only can you get these premium words in your number, you can even find matches that have attractive surrounding digits, like repeaters. (e.g. ’855-33-HOMES’ or ’855-885-LOAN’, both available at the time of writing)

So what are you waiting for? Set forth, brave soul, and carve out your own brand identity with your very own vanity 855 number!

And 855 is an opportunity you don’t want to miss.

First, A Little History

Toll free numbers have been around for a long time in the United States – since 1967. Back then they were expensive, controlled exclusively by AT&T, and came in just one flavor – the well-known 800 number prefix. They were reserved for big nationwide businesses that could afford the hefty per-minute rates. But in the past two decades, competitive providers with affordable rates have caused these numbers to explode in popularity among small businesses. Rapid consumption led to the FCC releasing the 888 prefix in 1996, 877 in 1998, and 866 in 2000. After that, the available pool of recycled or unused toll free numbers was enough to keep up with demand – until now.

Why Is 855 So Special?

A new prefix means new vanity number possibilities. Phonewords that haven’t been available in over a decade are going to be up-for-grabs overnight when the new 855 prefix lands. You can be sure businesses that have been built on a toll free number, like 1-800-CONTACTS or 1-800-FLOWERS, are going to act quickly to snatch up their 855 counterpart to protect their brand. But countless other hyper-popular phonewords are going to be available for any takers, such as realtors looking for numbers ending in HOMES.

The value of these premium numbers is huge. A vanity number can immediately boost your return on direct response advertising by making the number easy to remember and by creating a strong, professional impression. The release of 855 is the perfect opportunity for your small business to seize an attractive toll free number that you can use as the cornerstone of your business communications.

What Should You Do?

With the wide range of possibilities for vanity toll free numbers, you’re bound to have a dozen or so phonewords that describe your brand or business the best. If you had your pick, what would it be? Brainstorm, even create a wishlist. Go beyond phonewords – think about special patterns like 1234 or 5555. Be sure to check the national database using our free vanity search tool to make sure the numbers aren’t available right now in 866, 877, or 888.

If you’re really devious, find numbers that your competition might like and grab them to use yourself. Just remember, unlike domain names, you can’t lock up toll free numbers and not use them just to stop other people from having them or to sell to someone that really wants them. That’s hoarding, and is prohibited by the FCC. You also can’t advertise a number with a competitor’s trademarked or copyrighted terms spelled out.

In the meantime, be sure to check back with us on the status of 855 – we’ll keep you updated on any developments and how you can get an 855 number of your own when they’re available.

Buyer Beware – 855 Number Scams

One important note about 855 numbers is the fact that nobody outside the FCC can say for sure when the prefix will be released, and no toll free number provider can place guaranteed reservations for certain numbers ahead of time. Any company that’s looking to charge you money now with some promise of getting you your desired 855 number in the future is nothing short of a scam.