FCC to Delay Use of 855 Prefix
WASHINGTON — The Federal Communications Commission said it would delay the introduction of a new toll-free telephone prefix for about three months because existing prefixes are not being snapped up as quickly as anticipated.
In a letter Friday to one of the companies that allocates toll-free numbers, the FCC said it had determined no pressing need for the 855 prefix and had also received requests to delay its introduction.
Before the release of the 866 prefix in July, industry estimates said the supply of available toll-free numbers would run out by December.
But in its letter the FCC said numbers in the existing 800, 888, 877 and 866 prefixes would be available until 2002.
The FCC said it would take 90 days to hear comments before determining a course of action.
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