SMS/800

The SMS/800 (also known as the 800 Service Management System) is a centralized system that performs toll-free telephone number (800, 877, 888 and 866) management for the United States and Canada. At this time planning is in progress for the future toll-free codes of 855 and 844. All service providers that assign toll-free telephone numbers for use within the US and Canada must use the SMS/800 to verify the availability of specific numbers, reserve them, create customer records, and download records to local exchange carrier Service Control Points (SCPs) to facilitate call processing.

Who is SMS/800

The 800 Service Management System (SMS/800) was originally developed by Bell Communications Research, Inc. (who are now known as Telcordia Technologies). It is administered by the Bell Operating Companies (BOCs), which are currently Verizon, AT&T, and Qwest. One member from each of these companies comprises the "SMS/800 Management Team" (SMT), which is the final authority on all matters related to the SMS/800.

The toll-free service providers that access the SMS/800 to reserve toll-free numbers on behalf of their customers are called Responsible Organizations, or "RespOrg"s.

SMS/800 services are provided to both Resp Orgs and Service Control Point (SCP) Owner/Operators (O/Os). Resp Orgs are organizations that use the SMS/800 to perform functions by electronically completing forms displayed on terminals at their locations. A service provider may do this directly or arrange to have it done by another company. It usually takes just a few minutes to enter call-processing information for a given toll-free number. SCPs are real-time database systems in the networks of the local exchange carriers (LECs) that contain instructions for routing calls. Services provided include instructions as to how subscribers wish their toll-free numbers to be routed and terminated by location or choosing multiple carriers for different time periods.

External links

* [http://www.sms800.com/ SMS/800 Official Website]