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This is an unofficial announcement of Commission action. Release of the full text of a Commission order constitutes official action. See MCI v. FCC. 515 F 2d 385 (D.C. Circ 1974).
| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 21, 2000 |
NEWS MEDIA CONTACT: Mike Balmoris (202) 418-0253 Email: mbalmori@fcc.gov | |
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION ASSIGNS EASY TO USE PHONE NUMBERS FOR COMMUNITY & REFERRAL SERVICE INFORMATION AND TRAVEL & TRANSPORTATION-RELATED INFORMATION
Washington, D.C. – The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) today assigned easy to use and easy to remember three-digit dialing codes for quick access to community information and referral services (# 211), and traffic and transportation information (# 511). Once these codes are activated by the carriers upon request of information provides, they can be dialed instead of the seven or ten-digits currently required to reach these services.
There are only eight possible three-digit codes, making them among the scarcest of telephone numbering resources. To ensure the efficient use of these codes, the Commission has established a “public interest” standard for assignment of such codes.
With today’s action, the Commission is assigning the 211 dialing code for use by community information and referral service organizations. The easy to remember 211 dialing code will provide direct access to organizations providing community information and referral services, such as child care solutions, housing assistance, maintaining utilities, legal assistance, counseling, and hospice services, that are not currently available through the 911 emergency code or the 311 police non-emergency code.
Additionally, the Commission is assigning the 511 dialing code for use by state and local governments in their efforts to improve local traffic and transportation conditions. The U.S. Department of Transportation expects that the widespread use of the 511 dialing code will lead to reduced congestion and pollution on our nation’s roads, lower fuel consumption, provide superior traffic management, enhance roadway safety, and enable the public to make wise travel decisions.
The Commission also concluded that because such codes are a scarce resource, it would examine and reassess these assignments in five years. If their use is not widespread, the Commission may consider expanding the use of these codes for other purposes.
Action by the Commission July 21, 2000, by Third Report and Order and Order on Reconsideration (FCC 00-256 / FCC 00-257). Chairman Kennard and Commissioners Ness, Furchtgott-Roth, Powell, and Tristani.
CC Docket No. 92-105
Common Carrier Bureau contact: Cheryl L. Callahan at 202-418-2320, TTY 202-418-0484.
News about the Federal Communications Commission can also be found on the Commission’s web site www.fcc.gov.