Toll-free numbers were originally just inbound forwarders. Each
rang to a non-toll-free destination number.
These days, toll-free numbers are DIDs that work almost identically
to non-toll-free DIDs (except at big legacy carriers). They can be
used as direct destinations, and they can be used as outbound
caller ID. I've seen companies offering texting on toll-free numbers.
I believe that the formal CNAM LIDBs don't maintain listings for
toll-free numbers, but the informal LIDBs often do.
Despite this near-equality for toll-free numbers, something still
prevents them from being ported for use as cellphone numbers.
I assume that the obstacle is a law or regulation, instead of a
technological impediment, but I don't know.
Can any of you fill us in?
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