WASHINGTON-The Federal Communications Commission on Friday assigned three-digit number codes to be used for abbreviated dialing.
Abbreviated dialing codes enable callers to connect to a location in the telephone network that normally would require a seven- or 10-digit number. The network must be preprogrammed to translate the three-digit code into the appropriate seven- or 10-digit number and route the call accordingly.
The codes, 511 and 211, are to be used for traffic and nonprofit resources information respectively.
The 511 code is to be used by state and local governments to improve local traffic and transportation conditions. At least 43 states, 42 major metropolitan areas and 100 transit agencies currently operate traveler information systems. In the Washington, D.C., to New York City corridor, for example, there are 11 telephone numbers that give traffic and transit status.
The 211 code will be used by community information and referral service organizations to provide direct access to help callers with child-care solutions, housing assistance, utilities, legal assistance, counseling and hospice services.
In addition to assigning 511 and 211 on a nationwide basis, the FCC also strengthened the use of 711 for deaf access by requiring all carriers to assign 711 for access to telecommunications relay services within one year.
A TRS center is used by those with speech and hearing difficulties to place calls using a translator located at the center.
“Without having a completed item to examine, my initial reaction is that I have no problem with the commission reserving 711 for TRS services. However like 911, the FCC may be creating a false sense of security for those who need TRS services by implying or suggesting that by dialing 711 you will get a TRS center, particularly in a wireless environment,” said Brian Fontes, senior vice president for policy and administration for the Cellular Telecommunications Industry Association.
CTIA had asked the FCC to consider some of the difficulties for wireless carriers to implement TRS, such as roaming and cost recovery. There was no mention of the association’s concerns in the agency’s press release.
Since 011 and 111 are used for switching and routing, all of the available combinations are either officially assigned or generally used such as 911 for emergency access and 411 for directory assistance.
Because these numbers are so scarce, the FCC will revisit Friday’s decision it made on Friday within five years to see if the numbers are being used.
Each assignment of an abbreviated area code takes 8 million telephone numbers out of the general data base because that number cannot be assigned as an area code.
As the FCC grapples with number exhaustion, the agency granted additional delegated authority to conserve numbers to 15 states.
Almost all (12 of 15) of the states were granted authority to institute trials for thousand-block number pooling. Wireless carriers are not technically able to participate in thousand-block number pooling because they have yet to institute local number portability. The FCC has said the wireless industry does not have to implement LNP until Nov. 24, 2002.
Six states were given authority to ration numbers for six months after area-code relief measures were taken, while three states can hear and address claims seeking numbers outside of the rationing process.
Seven states can audit carriers’ use of numbers.
The FCC has exclusive authority over number allocations but increasingly has delegated that authority to states.
