FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE         NEWS MEDIA CONTACT
  March 23, 1999                     Emily Hoffnar (202) 418-0253
  
  Report No. CC 99-8                  COMMON CARRIER ACTION   
  
                         DIAL 888 VANITY
         FCC FREES UP MORE TOLL FREE NUMBERS - APRIL 5th
  
       The FCC has released a letter that will make more toll free 888
  numbers available to the public on April 5, 1999.  Many of those numbers
  may be vanity numbers, spelling out recognizable words.
  
       When 888 was introduced in 1996, as the first new toll free code after
  800, nearly 370,000 of the 888 numbers were set aside for subscribers
  holding corresponding 800 numbers.  Last year, the Commission permitted
  those subscribers to request the set-aside 888 numbers under a right of first
  refusal.  During 1998, approximately 230,000 set-aside 888 numbers were
  requested and assigned.
  
       The March 22, 1999, letter from the Chief of the Common Carrier
  Bureau directed the toll-free numbering administrator to release the balance
  of the set-aside 888 numbers - over 140,000 numbers - into spare status.  On
  April 5, 1999, the numbers will become available to the general public on a
  first come, first served basis.  To get a toll free number - whether 800, 888, or
  877 - contact any toll free service provider.  A complete list of these
  providers is available at www.sms800.com.
  
       For further information, refer to the Commission's web page at
  www.fcc.gov or contact the Network Services Division, Common Carrier
  Bureau, at (202) 418-2330 or, for users of TTY equipment, (202) 418-0484.
                             - FCC -