800 NUMBERS GO GLOBAL
By Adnews Staff
For the first time ever, 800 numbers which many companies rely on for direct order business and brand identity are available globally. Previous 800 numbers operated only in North America. The new service, which uses eight digit numbers instead of seven, will allow companies to operate with the same toll-free number in any country. Publicly available as of this week, the global 800 numbers will be assigned by the non-profit International Telecommunications Union in Geneva, Switzerland on a first-come, first-serve basis. Chris Busch of Iowa-based USA Global Link, said the new numbers are an important marketing tool. USA Global Link is one of the companies accepting applications for numbers that will be submitted to the ITU. Companies can use vanity numbers to help establish a worldwide brand image, Busch said. Although preferred customers of major phone carriers have already been given the chance to apply for the new global numbers, Busch said only 15,000 reservations have been made. He estimated there are up to 10 million North American 800 numbers, meaning many companies stand to lose the global rights to cherished vanity numbers containing their company name or describing their service.