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800-555-1414 NEW LIVE OPERATOR INFORMATION SERVICE TO BE LAUNCHED UTILIZING INTERNET 800 DIRECTORY
HURST, Texas......June 11, 1997..........A new free service for consumers will be launched in August 1997 providing information on business toll free numbers. Since 1995, those with internet access have been using the Internet 800 Directory (http://inter800.com) with increasing frequency. Providing the capability to find an 800 number by the company name and/or "key word searches", the internet directory is now recognized as a standard and provides information on 800 numbers to more inquiries than any other internet source.
Preferred Carrier Services, Inc. (PCS) (pcs-tele.com) announced the new operator service will utilize information gathered over the past two years from the internet and other sources. Nelson Thibodeaux, CEO of PCS stated, "Research indicates there is a substantial level of consumer frustration with the lack of an inclusive information service on toll free numbers. Ask anyone who has attempted to obtain information from 800-555-1212 how many times they are told "we show no listing". Most consumers are simply not aware this service is operated by AT&T and lists primarily only AT&T customers. There are over 11 million toll free numbers with only a small minority of these actually listed by AT&T."
800-555-1414 directory services will be operated by Universal Directory Services, Inc. (UDSI). UDSI operators will have online access to multiple sources, including the Internet 800 Directory, owned and operated by JAServices, Inc., and other world wide internet connections, to assist consumers in finding a specific company or a company offering services of their specific interest.
Internet services will continue to be available with additional access at 8005551414.com. The call to the operator service center or access over internet will be free to the consumer.
Initially regional advertising will enhance consumer awareness and nationwide advertising will follow during the last quarter of 1997. UDSI spokesman James Jackson stated, "By the end of 1997 the general consumer will be aware, through our advertising in major media, that there is finally a viable alternative to obtain toll free information. During 1998
UDSI expects to be involved in major sports and entertainment programs to promote the use of its directory."
The 800-555-1414 directory will also feature Universal Free Phone information as international toll free numbers become available over the next few months.
In response to the launching of the service, UDSI is mailing business notification and contacting companies having toll free numbers. The new service will be supported by nominal monthly listing fees billed to the company on their local telephone bill or by their long distance carrier of choice.
Mr. Thibodeaux concluded, "We have already had substantial interest from major carriers. No company wants to voluntarily provide their proprietary customer information to a competitor. After the breakup of AT&T, 800 numbers were not portable, therefore the overwhelming majority of 800 telephone numbers were provided by AT&T. Since the advent of 800 portability in 1993, many carriers now serve the market, however toll free information has always been provided by and virtually an exclusive, by
default, of AT&T.
Operators reached by dialing 800-555-1414 are trained to provide information from many sources. If we do not show an 800 listing, our operators will search over 10 million business listings to provide a local number and our goal is to report this information within five seconds to the caller. Our marketing department will immediately contact the
appropriate business and update information to include in our toll free data base for future inquiries."
Companies or long distance carriers wishing to obtain charter listing status and/or confirm listing information may contact PCS at1-800-414-4442.
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