There are international toll-free numbers with a *country code* of 800
(i.e. +800 not a NANP number of +1800) that work from several
countries.
The use of +800 as an international toll free "country code" was
authorised by the International Telecommunication Union around five or
six years ago. From each country you have to prefix this with your
regular international access code (00 from most of the world, 011 from
North America, 0011 I think from Australia), and all numbers following
the +800 have eight digits.
There don't appear to be very many users so far -- a few hotel chains
and airlines, mainly. The Four Seasons hotel chain uses +800 4688
4688, for example. Among the factors that are probably holding it back
include the existence of different international access codes across
the world (not everyone knows what the + means and many people
wouldn't then know to substitute it with 00, 011 or whatever, though
this is simplified with GSM mobile phones, which allow you to dial the
+ directly) and the fact that not all phone networks have set up
connections to the operators running +800 services so they block
access to these numbers.
They are known as UIFNs (Universal International Freefone Numbers).
Perhaps unsurprisingly, the "00800" services are commonly tariffed at
almost prohibitive rates. The only advantage in using the service is
that the same number can be advertised universally and - hopefully -
used in all jurisdictions without having to look up a local number.
Other issues arise, predominantly that hotel systems will surcharge
the calls anyway, and business switchboards and payphones recognise
the international prefix but fail to spot the 800 following it, and so
regard the call as international (with the obvious consequences).
Therefore, you are probably better to get a local freephone number in
each country. An alternative, certainly in the UK, is that you can get
non-geographic numbers which can be forwarded abroad; these cost
slightly more to the user than geographic numbers but the cost is not
usually prohibitive.
One point to bear in mind is that depending on how the system is set
up, a call origininating in the UK may present the caller with UK or
Canadian tones, the latter may be unfamiliar and confusing. Another
point is that you will have to answer in the correct languages and
make arrangements for users of telephone services for the deaf to be
able to access your services.
Owain |
