Prompt Cast
The History and Impact of Toll-Free Numbers in the United States
TLDR Toll-free numbers, also known as 800 numbers, were created to automate billing for long distance calls and eliminate the need for operators. Despite the rise of online communication, 800 numbers remain popular for marketing purposes and have even led to the introduction of new prefixes like 888 and 833.
Timestamped Summary
00:00
Toll-free numbers, also known as 800 numbers, have persisted and continue to be used in the United States, with 24 million working toll-free phone numbers in North America as of 2008.
04:23
There are at least 54 million toll-free numbers in use in America today, and they were originally created as a way to route charges for long distance calls back to the person being called.
09:12
The purpose of 800 numbers was to automate the process of billing for long distance calls and eliminate the need for operators, and the use of 800 numbers became more widespread and affordable after the breakup of AT&T's monopoly in 1984.
13:43
In 1994, a law was passed that allowed people to keep their phone numbers when switching carriers, leading to the introduction of new prefixes like 888 and 833, and despite the rise of online communication, 800 numbers have remained popular due to marketing purposes.
18:21
To obtain an 800 number, you must contact a responsible organization certified by the FCC, but some organizations take advantage of the system by charging extra fees for certain numbers, which goes against FCC rules.
22:49
Hording and selling telephone numbers is against FCC rules, but it wasn't enforced until a company called IT Connections was fined $3.7 million in 2017, and these types of companies are seen as exploitative and disgusting.
27:26
Vanity phone numbers, especially those with catchy jingles or songs attached, have a significantly higher recall rate than numeric phone numbers, and companies like FTD have likely made a lot of money from them.
32:39
During a six-year period in the US, people could set up 900 numbers for various audio messages, including phone sex lines, conversations between ground control and astronauts, and other content, making many people rich in a short period of time.
37:21
During the 900 number era, people realized they could charge a lot of money for information, especially if children were involved and could be tricked into running up a huge phone bill, such as with the Santa Claus hotline.
41:47
The hosts discuss their differing opinions on the movie "Uncut Gems" and then transition to listener mail about a childhood experience with a wasp sting.
Categories:
Society & Culture
