The 877 area code does not correspond to a specific geographic region in North America. This number is instead designated as a toll-free number.
What Is a Free-of-Charge Number?
A toll-free number is a three-digit exchange that can be reached free of charge from a landline. It reduces the cost of a long-distance call for those who wish to contact an out-of-town business. This expense is instead borne by the individual or organisation that owns the number.
Toll-free numbers are often utilised in customer service departments so that customers can contact a company without incurring a fee. They are also considered as a means of making a firm appear more credible and attracting customers from a wider area.
What Are the No-Cost Phone Numbers?
877 is not the only area code with a toll-free exchange. There are also the 800, 833, 844, 855, 866, and 888 toll-free codes. As needed, new toll-free numbers are added to the cycle every few years. The code 822 is the next number to be added to the rotation. Although 811 follows 822 in numerical order, it will never be used as a toll-free exchange because it is currently assigned to government information lines in some places.
How Do I Obtain a Freephone Number?
Major telephone service providers provide toll-free numbers for sale. Check with any phone carrier that offers landline service to obtain a number.
The Federal Communications Commission has jurisdiction over toll-free numbers (FCC). Although the FCC does not assign these numbers, it does require that they be transferable. This allows a firm to transfer its number from one provider to another.
Can Toll-Free Numbers Be Used Internationally?
Although dialling a toll-free number within the United States and Canada is free of charge, these numbers may not be free for overseas callers. Due to the application of foreign rates and fees, there may be a surcharge for international toll-free calls. Due to the additional costs, some toll-free services exclude international calls. When calling a company from abroad, it is preferable to use a non-free number.
Area Code Background
1947 saw the establishment of the first area codes by AT&T and Bell Laboratories. In accordance with the North American Numbering Plan (NANP), three-digit area codes were assigned to states and other regions depending on their population density.
There were originally 86 area codes. There are currently 335 area codes in the United States. In Canada, there are an additional 42. There are currently twenty-five countries participating in the NANP.
