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Toll-Free Numbers running out? New codes announced ALPHONSO MYERS In what seems to be a two-year trend of late, the Alliance for Telecommunications Industry Solutions announced yesterday that a fourth nationwide toll-free code will be rolled out late next month. The newest code-866-will become available to consumers and business on July 29, followed by a fifth code-855-to be available on November 18, the alliance said. "What your seeing is the popularity of 800 numbers continuing to grow," said an ATIS spokesman. "[And] with the introduction of the Internet and access numbers and the expansion of the wireless industry, 800 numbers have become rather popular." The newest rollout of 800 codes was made to the Federal Communications Commission, on the recommendation of the SMS/800 Numbering Administration Committee (SNAC), a part of the Ordering and Billing Forum (OBF). Toll-free numbers are being used within the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, with the first 8 million 800 codes being introduced in 1967 and lasting until 1996. The second toll-free code-888-was introduced in March 1996 and was exhausted within two years, creating the need to introduce the 877 code in April 1998. ATIS, an organization that defines standards and operating procedures for the industry, has taken on the role of standardizing the rollout of various nationwide codes including those for toll-free calls. "You need to have a centralized location for companies to resolve issues as competition continues to grow in the industry. We create [that] environment for industries to come together," said Bernhards.