Background

A toll-free phone number is a number beginning with 800, 855, 866, 877 or 888 instead of a geographic area code.  If you have been given a toll-free number, and a hearing person calls you through a Video Relay Service (VRS) or IP Relay Service using that toll-free number, he is not charged for his phone call to the Relay Service.  (Deaf users who call you directly are never charged for their call, whether they call you using your local number or toll-free number.)

On August 4, 2011, the FCC adopted new rules to promote the use of geographically appropriate local telephone numbers, while ensuring that the deaf and hard-of-hearing community has access to toll-free telephone numbers that is equivalent to the access enjoyed by the hearing community. These rules went into effect on November 22, 2011, and allow for a one year transition period that will end on November 21, 2012.

Read more:
http://www.fcc.gov/encyclopedia/use-toll-free-numbers-video-and-ip-relay-service

- Thanks to FCC and friends

http://www.drzvrs.com/2011/08/editorial-92-fcc-800866-numbers-are-not-free-anymore/

http://www.drzvrs.com/2011/08/editorial-93-clarifications-on-800866-numbers-answering-your-questions

- Thanks to ZVRS

Use your local 10-digit number and stop using toll free numbers:

1. Tell people you have a local 10-digit number.  Ask people to call you with your local 10-digit number.
2. Tell your VRS or IP Relay provider to display your local 10-digit number on all caller ID systems.  (Sorenson customers can change the way the caller ID number is displayed.  To display the local 10-digit number, go to Settings > Personal > User and select “Local.”)
3. Ask your VRS or IP Relay provider to inform callers that your new number is your local 10-digit number.  This announcement can be automated and provided for a short time, such as for 30 days.
4. Tell your VRS or IP Relay provider to take your toll free number out of all number databases and directories.

From this website:
http://www.nad.org/blogs/debrapatkin/local-10-digit-numbers-are-superior-toll-free-numbers

To read about recent FCC Rules on Toll Free Numbers:
http://www.nad.org/news/2011/8/relay-consumer-alert-new-fcc-rules-toll-free-numbers

- Thanks to NAD

On August 4, 2011, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) released final rules on the use of toll free numbers (numbers beginning with 800 or 866).  No new toll-free numbers can be assigned to users of Video Relay Services (VRS) and those who currently use a toll-free number for VRS will need to change to a local ten-digit number, or pay for the toll-free number.

The National Association for the Deaf has a Relay Consumer Alert with more information, a signed and captioned video, and links to find more information at: http://nad.org/news/2011/8/relay-consumer-alert-new-fcc-rules-toll-free-numbers

- Thanks to NVRC

If you cannot see/view above, click here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YzB3D6HyAFA