RespOrg
Encyclopedia
In North America, RespOrg (a contraction for responsible organization) is a term that refers to the companies that have access to the Service Management System, the database that controls routing on all toll-free telephone number
s. RespOrgs were established in 1993 as part of the FCC order to institute toll free number portability. Toll free numbers include 800, 888, 877 and 866 area codes, as well as any future toll-free area codes created that share the same characteristics.
Every individual ten-digit toll free telephone number is managed by a RespOrg. A RespOrg can be a long distance company, reseller, end user or an independent that offers an outsourced service. There are approximately 350 RespOrg services, and range in size from huge to companies that control only a few numbers.
In the telecommunications industry, the contraction RespOrg is spoken and used more frequently than the full unabbreviated term. It is pronounced as though it were a single word (something like "ressborg") with no pause or break between resp and org.
, the end-user has the right to select their RespOrg and have their numbers transferred to their control. This process is called "porting" or "change of RespOrg" and requires a signed letter of authorization from the end-user. All RespOrgs operate under the same tariff and are required to follow specific guidelines for this process. The guidelines are maintained by a national industry group known as the SMS/800 Number Administration Committee (SNAC), a committee of the Alliance for Telecommunications Industry Solutions
, and membership is open to any RespOrg.
Toll-free telephone number
A toll-free, Freecall, Freephone, 800, 0800 or 1-800 number is a special telephone number which is free to the calling party, and instead the telephone carrier charges the called party the cost of the call...
s. RespOrgs were established in 1993 as part of the FCC order to institute toll free number portability. Toll free numbers include 800, 888, 877 and 866 area codes, as well as any future toll-free area codes created that share the same characteristics.
Every individual ten-digit toll free telephone number is managed by a RespOrg. A RespOrg can be a long distance company, reseller, end user or an independent that offers an outsourced service. There are approximately 350 RespOrg services, and range in size from huge to companies that control only a few numbers.
In the telecommunications industry, the contraction RespOrg is spoken and used more frequently than the full unabbreviated term. It is pronounced as though it were a single word (something like "ressborg") with no pause or break between resp and org.
FCC regulation
In the United States, according to the regulations of the Federal Communications CommissionFederal Communications Commission
The Federal Communications Commission is an independent agency of the United States government, created, Congressional statute , and with the majority of its commissioners appointed by the current President. The FCC works towards six goals in the areas of broadband, competition, the spectrum, the...
, the end-user has the right to select their RespOrg and have their numbers transferred to their control. This process is called "porting" or "change of RespOrg" and requires a signed letter of authorization from the end-user. All RespOrgs operate under the same tariff and are required to follow specific guidelines for this process. The guidelines are maintained by a national industry group known as the SMS/800 Number Administration Committee (SNAC), a committee of the Alliance for Telecommunications Industry Solutions
Alliance for Telecommunications Industry Solutions
The Alliance for Telecommunications Industry Solutions is a standards organization that develops technical and operational standards for the telecommunication industry. ATIS is headquartered in Washington, D.C....
, and membership is open to any RespOrg.