About toll free numbers and WATS lines 1

[PeaveyPhones]

Can we all get together and call toll free numbers what they are, toll free numbers? Is it just me or does anyone else correct people for saying “800 number”? 800 number is no longer a correct description, what with 877, 866 and all. Am I just being anal retentive phone guy? Telecom uber doofus?

And what’s up with WATS lines? This was just before my time. I had a secretary, oh, sorry Administrative Assistant, ask me if her WATS line was working? I barley know what that is, and as I read the definition it does not sound like a circuit that would allow your calls to go just anywhere, but to a specific area. ???

It really comes down to this. We all have a hard enough time dealing with end users, don't we? "Hello, my phones broke, I can't call anybody". "You called me didn't you"? "Uh, yeh, I guess I did. But my phone is broke"...
I try to explain to them how important it is to be precise. I don't expect them to read Newtons Telecom Dictionary but don't just throw out blanket statements like "nothing works" or "it's dead", try to be as accurate as possible.

Richard

 

[SF0751]

Yes, if you're going to be very precise about it, everyone should refer to these as "toll-free" numbers and not as 800 numbers, 866 numbers, etc. But don't you know what is meant when someone refers to an 800 number and then gives you 866-555-1212? Or do you stop and tell them "Whoa - that's NOT an 800 number, it's something completly different and now I have to begin all over again." Of course not - so if it bothers you, mention it and then get on with life.

WATS line: Noun. A telephone line; long distance service at fixed rates for fixed zones; an acronym for wide area telephone service. In other words, your Admin Assistant couldn't make LD calls.

Don't get me wrong, we all have end users who are seriously techno-challenged. But if they were all telcom wizs, then why would they need us?




Susan
_{You have all the characteristics of a popular politician: a horrible voice, bad breeding, and a vulgar manner.}
^{Aristophanes, 424 B.C.}
Lex clavatoris designati rescindenda est.

 

[PeaveyPhones]

Susan, OK, I'll get over myself.

Richard

 

[jerryreeve]

A note for you also the old WATS lines were one-way phone lines that were treated by the PBX/KSU as a CO line but the telco did not allow incoming calls on them. I had a customer about 2 years ago that still had them and when I did a NumberID on them the NPA/NNX was 023-1234 with a first digit of 0.

You also had WATS Service that used your normal phone lines and the customer agreed to pay a minimum long distance bill whether or not they used the minutes or not, the customer also got a discount on LD Charges.



JerryReeve
Communications Systems Int'l
com-sys.com

 

[SYQUEST]

Hi Everyone,

I agree PeaveyPhones, it is about time folks use the correct terms such as INWATS or TOLL FREE, but this gets abused even by telcom people!

One of the MOST incorrectly used terms of all time has to be the "RJXX" (RJ11 or RJ45) instead of MODULAR PLUG OR MODULAR JACK!! Data NEVER had any "RJXX" anything of any kind EVER!!
The "RJ" stands for registered jack and an RJxx is a wiring arrangement for specific jack hardware that the FCC and the Bell System agreed upon for connecting customer owned equipment after the 1967 Carter Phone decision. The modular plug and jack was developed by the Bell System in the early 1970s as a cost cutting measure(they didn't reuse cut cords, also from a maintenance aspect reburbishing was easier and cut costs, I worked for WECO in the 1970s). This would simplify installation and some repair, and the customer could do somethings themselves.

In this industry it is interesting the paths some concepts and hardware end up taking....

....JIM....

 

[Bobg1]

“800 number”? 800 number is no longer a correct description, what with 877, 866

It is still an accurate description, after all 877, 866 are an extension of the service that was started with 800.
AND not all "800" numbers are toll free....

 

[PeaveyPhones]

"AND not all "800" numbers are toll free...." ?

Do tell.

Richard

 

[geraldshort]

If you want the full scoop on NPA-NXX's out there check out the North America number plan website:

http://www.nanpa.com/

another useful site for international dialing codes and time zone info, check out:

http://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/dialing.html

Gerald

 

[Mongo5150]

808 Is the Hawaii area code for one


MFurrer@charter.net

 

[jgideon]

There are some toll-free numbers that charge back to the calling party.... like a 900 number. There is usually a 'press 1 now' to continue kind of message. Their argument is that the 'call' is free, but they are billing for the 'information' provided.