Path: utzoo!telecom-request Date: 3 May 91 20:31:48 GMT From: Steve Shellans Newsgroups: comp.dcom.telecom Subject: Directory of 800 Prefixes Wanted Message-ID: Organization: TELECOM Digest Sender: Telecom@eecs.nwu.edu Approved: Telecom@eecs.nwu.edu X-Submissions-To: telecom@eecs.nwu.edu X-Administrivia-To: telecom-request@eecs.nwu.edu X-Telecom-Digest: Volume 11, Issue 333, Message 4 of 4 Lines: 33 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]