Toll Free Number FAQ > Toll Free Summit > Does "monetize" really just mean selling numbers?
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I can see where the "monetize" word could seem to imply selling numbers, but that's not the intent. Here's how we used it:
"Who should attend: This invitation-only summit is designed for professional owners and operators of shared-use programs and those who aspire to “build-out” or monetize their vanity numbers. It is not intended for users, or for those who do not share our core values."
We're using "monetize" here to refer to alternatives to territory licensing, i.e. "build-out." A few operators have be using the call-in traffic to collect sales leads, typically for debt relief, mortgages, loans, etc.. A company in Florida has even been issued a U.S. patent on a way to do this. Another has developed a calling card around a vanity number. One of our primary goals is to clean up the toll-free business, and communicate to bad actors that they are not welcome. In our, "Vision and Values" section we say:
"We seek to become a trusted source for toll-free services. Therefore, we do not condone toll-free number theft or conversion, deceptive consulting or licensing practices, spare-pool number brokering, or cyber-squatting Internet domains that map to numbers owned by others."
In addition, we are excluding some well-know bad actors from this summit, like those who "flip" numbers on ebay. These players and others will not be welcome. In contrast to concerns about violating FCC guidelines, we are deeply concerned that the FCC fails to do anything about these bad actors despite their obvious and repeated violations.
Last updated on October 26, 2009 by Most Evil Genius!
