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If you don’t have a phone plan with unlimited calls, you may occasionally be charged when calling someone across a longer distance. These fees start small but can grow over time depending on how frequently you call people.
This is why toll-free numbers are so appealing; you never have to pay to call them. Read on to discover more about the 877 area code and its lovely toll-free nature.
What Is an Area Code?
An area code refers to the first three digits of an American phone number. These digits are associated with a specific geographic location and help direct incoming calls to the right area so you can connect with people far and wide. Area codes are created and regulated by the North American Numbering Plan (NANP).
Over time, as more people in the US got their own phone numbers, the NANP had to split up regions and add more area codes. This was to distribute phone call traffic so towers weren’t overloaded and number combinations weren’t exhausted. While regional area codes can change in this way, toll-free numbers will always stay the same.
What Is a Toll-Free Area Code?
Toll-free area codes refer to the first three digits of a number that is always free to call. The word “toll,” in this case, refers to standard call rates that might affect long-distance calls on certain phone plans. Thus, “toll-free” is an area code in which these rates don’t apply to the caller.
Instead of you paying to call an 877 number, the business or company associated with the number will pay the fee. They do this to encourage consumers and customers to call without the inconvenience of paying for it.
Unlike regular area codes, toll-free codes don’t refer to a specific geographic area. They can be used by anyone who registers for the number within the NANP countries, which are the US, Canada, and some Caribbean nations.
877 is not the only toll-free area code. Here is a full list of American toll-free area codes:
- 800
- 833
- 844
- 855
- 866
- 877
- 888
How Are Toll-Free Area Codes Assigned?
Usually, when you get a new number, your area code will be assigned according to the location where you bought the line. With toll-free numbers, this isn’t the case because they don’t correspond to a location. Instead, the assigning of toll-free numbers is done through the Federal Communications Commission.
The FCC will assign numbers from a pool of available options. No two people or businesses can get the same number, so it’s first come first served. People or companies who want to get a toll-free number will enlist the help of a Responsible Organization, also known as a RespOrg.
RespOrgs are phone service provider companies that reserve toll-free numbers from the Toll-Free Number Registry on behalf of businesses. They will also manage and handle the official records of the number ownership for the company.
So if you want to specifically get an 877 number, your best bet is to communicate this with the RespOrg you work with. But the reality is that all toll-free numbers work the same. There’s no difference to getting an 877 vs. 833 area code other than the aesthetic.
What Is a Vanity Number?
A vanity number is a phone number that spells out a word, phrase, or acronym. On a smartphone and landline dial pad, numbers 2-9 correspond with letters. Zero and one have no corresponding letters.
When you’re dialing a new number, you will likely do so on a dial pad with letters. This means that if the letters in the phone number make a word, you’re much more likely to remember it. And businesses are more likely to do more business if they can get you to remember their number.
The numbers and letters correspond as follows:
- 2: ABC
- 3: DEF
- 4:GHI
- 5:JKL
- 6: MNO
- 7: PQRS
- 8: TUV
- 9: WXYZ
For example, if you own a baking company and want to increase the likelihood of sales and customer interaction, the best place to start is by getting a toll-free area code like 877 so people never have to pay to call you.
The next step would be to come up with a clever, unused combination of 7 letters that spells a word related to baking so people will remember it. An example would be:
877-CUPCAKE
The number would look like:
877-287-2253
People are much more likely to remember “cupcake” than that random combination of numbers. You’ll also remember that the company sells cupcakes and other baked goods, and you may even get hungry enough to order while thinking about it. That’s why vanity numbers are popular among some small businesses.
Why Use the 877 Area Code?
If you only need a phone number for personal use, you don’t need to worry about getting a toll-free number. Anyone who really needs or wants to talk to you will be willing to pay the toll if their phone carrier doesn’t have unlimited calls. They can also FaceTime you or call you via social media, which is free. But for businesses, it’s another story.
Toll-free numbers used to be even more popular back when unlimited phone calls were less commonly part of people’s phone plans. Now, it is more common for people to have unlimited calls, but that doesn’t mean the benefits of a toll-free number aren’t worth it. There are still many people who will appreciate the guaranteed free nature of a toll-free area code like 877.
What Companies Use the 877 Area Code?
Most often, toll-free numbers like 877 are used as customer service lines for a company. Customer service needs to be easily accessible, so making it free to call helps encourage interaction. Small businesses may also use toll-free numbers to encourage customer engagement and ordering over the phone.
Because 877 isn’t associated with a specific region, there’s no way to narrow down which companies use 877 over other toll-free area codes. The distribution of codes likely comes down to which numbers are available at the time you sign up.
How 877 Can Legitimize Your Business
Toll-free numbers are typically associated with well-established businesses (because the company has to pay for the phone fees), so using a toll-free number as a small business can help your company appear more legit. It can also help people differentiate your number from others with a local location-based area code.
The Importance of Customer Engagement
For customer service lines, small and medium businesses, and really any company trying to make money, customer engagement is everything. If customers are worried that your business phone number will charge them a fee to call, they may not call at all. They may find a similar business that uses a toll-free number and call them instead.
Toll-free numbers like 877 will put them at ease and guarantee that no matter what, they won’t be charged when calling. If they feel comfortable calling, you will have the opportunity to make a sale. Phone call accessibility can also help you create a positive relationship with customers and build up consumer loyalty to boost your business.
How Much Does the 877 Area Code Cost?
The exact cost of an 877 area code number will depend on the phone service provider you use and how you set up the line. A good estimate is a total of $10 to $15 a month, but this depends on how many people you’re calling and how long those calls last. On average, phone providers will charge between $0.06 and $0.30 per minute of the call.
In the grand scheme of business expenses, paying for a toll-free number should be a minimal fee unless you’re really pumping out those calls. But because cell phones are reducing the necessity of a toll-free number, it’s up to you to decide whether the benefits justify the cost.
Can You Text With an 877 Area Code?
The way you set up your new line with your phone provider will determine your texting capabilities with an 877 number. But the short answer is yes. If you set it up, you will be able to both send and receive texts.
Should I Use 877 for My Personal Number?
As mentioned above, there really is no need to get an 877 number for personal use. Toll-free numbers are meant for businesses and nonprofits to facilitate customer engagement. You definitely don’t want to take on the fees of a toll-free number as an individual either.
If you’re looking to change the area code of your personal number, try using a second phone number app like Burner, where you can generate a custom phone number with a new area code in minutes.
Burner phone lets you talk and text through a different number right from the comfort of your own phone. So if those old 10 digits have grown tiresome or if you want to boost your cybersecurity by using your second number in place of your first, Burner is the place for you.
Final Notes on 877
The 877 area code is a toll-free code not associated with a specific area. It’s used mostly by businesses who want their customers to be able to reach them for free. It’s not necessary for personal use.
You can get an 877 number by contacting a phone service provider or RespOrg who will assist you. And remember, if you see an 877 number, it will always be free to call.
Sources:
What Is a Toll-Free Number and How Does it Work? | Federal Communications Commission
