letters in phone numbers 1

[Rearview]

I am trying to help our accounting dept. track down which phone numbers that we pay for each month are actually used (we think we are wasting lots of money with the phone company). On or bill, we have some strange phone numbers that have letters in them. They look like this (I'll use "x" instead of the actual numbers):

xxx-IDH-xxxx
xxx-IFD-xxxx
xxx-DH0-xxxx

Can anyone tell me what these phone numbers might be? We are at a loss. Are they ISDN, or something to do with a PBX system maybe? Any info is appreciated.

 

[mitelman]

Why don't you ask the people you got your bill from? Maybe they aren't valid and that is where your wasted money is going.

 

[Rearview]

Well that is the plan. I just wanted to see if I could figure out what they were (if they are some line we are using) before we called Verizon...

 

[jgideon]

They could be 'main bill' numbers for an account (not actual numbers) or they could be placeholders for trunks in a hunt group. You're better off asking Verizon what they are. Are you looking at an invoice, or a 'customer service record' or a 'service and equipment record'? Those are two names for the same document--sometimes hard to read, but that will give you everything on your account.

 

[skip555]

when you do find out the significance let us know

 

[jlshelton]

This is a good place to put in a plug for

http://www.phonespell.org,

which lets you translate Alphabetic phone numbers into numeric ones, and vice versa. Helpful for finding vanity numbers.

Want to get "855-EAT-CAKE" when NPA 855 opens up? Then PhoneSpell will tell you you want 855-328-2253.

Enjoy.

 

[exverizon]

Are these numbers listed as numbers that were called, or the lines you use? In other words, does the bill say, "Calls from xxx-IDH-xxxx, and then list the numbers called from that line, or does it state calls were made TO xxx-IDH-xxxx...?

If they are listed as lines you're supposed to HAVE, then they may indicate trunk lines. Some are incoming trunks, some outgoing, some are two-way. But honestly, I've never seen that sort of label before.

The telco should have a block near the phone equipment area (orange hinged cover) that might list all the lines that you're supposed to have...if it was installed and maintained right.

 

[Rearview]

Well, one of the numbers is for our DS1 lines that we have between a few buildings, but there are others that I do not know the importance of (some are $7 a month, some are $27). These are numbers that we pay for, but not ones that show detailed usage as far as I know. Someone should call the phone company tomorrow (the people who know anything are off today for President's Day).

 

[PeaveyPhones]

Don't pay until the telco can explain themselves. You just got an invoice with a list good and services that they are selling you. It's their responsibility to tell you what you're paying for.
Richard

 

[PeaveyPhones]

Don't pay until the telco can explain themselves. You just got an invoice with a list goods and services that they are selling you. It's their responsibility to tell you what you're paying for.
Richard

 

[Rearview]

I talked to our contracts administrator who talked to Verizon. She explained this to me, so it was in total non-techy speak, but I think the charges have somethign to do with our actual youtside phone lines that our inside extensions use when we make a call outside the agency. There are a number of small charges on the bill (something like $8 each) under a phone number that contains the letters IFD. Anyway, she seemed satisfied with the telco's explination, so I guess that solves that.

As I said before, one of the numbers with letters in it was for our DS1 lines for our phone system that goes to another building across town.

 

[pansophic]

Most phone companies, and Verizon certainly, provide a CSR (Customer Service Report) if it is requested. All of the versions of it that I have seen over the years have a page or two of billing codes that describe what each character in each position of the billing code mean.

These are probably codes for one-way outbound, or DID trunks. Meaning that the facility itself cannot be dialed directly as a 10-digit telephone number. But the billing system wants a 10-character unique code for the charges. They use letters to identify the type of service.


pansophic

 

[phgirl]

To be certain yourself of what these telephone numbers are and then to assist with identifying their possible uses, do contact your line carrier and request a Customer Service Record (CSR) for all lines on the account. Then, go to their web-site where you are able to view 'definitions' of some of those secret codes.

http://www.qwest.com

and

http://www.verizon.com

are useful for providing the hidden meanings. Since you indicated earlier that you are within Verizon territory, the path you are looking for will be 'Glossary' within the wholesale section. (Qwest calls them USOC's)