Steve Shellans <steves@aerobat.tek.com> (05/04/91)
On my answering machine, I often find people have called and have left an 800 number for me to call back. When I call back, I often find they are in a different time zone, and I get a recorded message saying, "Business hours are ....." Is there some kind of directory or list of *prefixes* for 800 numbers showing which state they are in? That way I would know when would be an appropriate time for me to call back. (Yes, I realize there are potentially several hundred of these, but such a listing would fit on a few pages.) Thanks, Steve Shellans [Moderator's Note: In olden-times, when AT&T was the sole player, 800 prefixes did indeed match up to specific states or geographic areas. They were also tied into 'calling bands', indicating if calls to the 800 number would be accepted nationwide, or only from certain states. Now, statewide only or limited area 800 lines are rather scarce. Most folks have nationwide coverage on their 800 lines, and the prefixes denote *which carrier* handles the traffic except in AT&T's case where their (numerous) prefixes still to some extent denote a geographic area and/or type of call to be accepted. In the Telecom Archives we have a directory of 800 prefixes and who belongs to what. But the general rule now is an 800 number, regardless of prefix could be anywhere in the USA. For Telecom Archives, use anonymous ftp to pull the desired files: ftp lcs.mit.edu cd telecom-archives. PAT]
Tony Harminc <TONY@mcgill1.bitnet> (05/06/91)
Steve Shellans <steves@aerobat.tek.com> asked for a directory of 800 Prefixes. The Moderator's reply included the statement: > .... But the general rule now is an 800 number, regardless of > prefix could be anywhere in the USA. In fact an 800 number could be almost anywhere at all - not just in the USA. Several countries within world numbering zone 1 (Canada, USA, Bermuda, and Carribean islands) use the 800 pseudo area code for toll-free calls. In many cases these numbers are reachable cross- border (if the subscriber is paying for cross border coverage). But even an "ordinary looking" 800 number could ring in a European country or Hong Kong, or any one of many places. Similarly an "ordinary looking" 0800 number in the UK could ring in Canada or the USA. I get quite fed up with people who call me from the USA and leave an 800 number that can't be reached. They seem to assume that if they have paid for "all states" service, they have covered the world. I don't even have the choice of paying for the call -- there is just no way to reach such a number. Tony Harminc