800 Numbers General Terms and Definition

• FCC (Federal Communications Commission) – a government agency in the US that is responsible for standards and regulations for licenses, rates, tariffs, etc.
• NASC (Number Administration and Service Center) – is an organization that administers and provides user support of the SMS (Service Management System) database.
• PUC (Public Utilities Commission) – is an agency that is responsible for the regulation of services, rates, etc., of public utilities or services such as an electricity, water or telephone. Depending on the state or city PUC is also known as PSC (Public Service Commission), UC (Utilities Commission) or URC (Utility Regulatory Commission)
• Regulator – a governing body, like FCC or PUC, which is responsible for the regulations or standards.
• RespOrg (Responsible Organization) – is the provider of a toll free number to a subscriber. RespOrg are required to access the SMS database to make sure that the number to be issued is obtainable.
• SCP (Service Control Point) – a database under the SS7 (System Signaling 7) network which the SSP (Service Switching Point) give queries for lookup and verification of 800 phone or LNP (Local Number Portability) numbers.
• SMS/800 (800 Service Management System) – the toll free phone numbers database and system that is administered by the NASC and provides access to RespOrg in amending data about 800 numbers. It also shares information with the SCP database.
• Toll-Free Subscriber – a subscriber of a toll-free number to a RespOrg.
• Toll-Free Number – is a free-of-charge number of a business for callers. In the US, this number makes use of 800, 855, 866, 877 or 888 prefix.
• USF (Universal Service Fund) – is a fund program that was created by the FCC to meet the mandates of the Telecommunication Acts of 1996.

The Basics of a Universal International Freephone Number

The universal international freephone number (UIFN) is a worldwide toll-free number service that enables an International Freephone Service (IFS) subscriber to allocate a fixed-global number which can be called freely (except for some certain cellphone network providers) anywhere in the world.

The UIFN number is issued by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). It is a United Nations (UN) agency for information, communication and a global focal point for developing networks and services among the governments and private sectors.

Components of a UIFN number
The UIFN number uses the global ITU 800 number prefix as the fixed country code. The next component is the 8 digit Global Subscriber Number (GSN), which is the number issued by the ITU to the IFS customer or subscriber. The following, which is almost similar to a business toll free number, is an example of a UIFN number: 800 1234 5678

Dialing a UIFN number

A caller can dial a UIFN number by simply keying in the International Access Code (IAC), the ITU Country Code and the GSN number: 00 800 1234 5678

Applying for a UIFN number

Just like with a toll free number application, only a Recognized Operating Agency (ROA) can submit the IFS subscriber's application. The subscriber should also agree to serve two or more countries or else the application will not be accepted. Upon the approval of the application the number is considered under reservation until the subscriber completes an in-service, between two or more countries, within 180 days.

Fees and method of payment
Currently, the registration application fee costs 200 Swiss Francs and is payable by bank transfers, prepaid accounts or credit cards.