RespOrg: Switching Toll Free Number Service Providers
RespOrg, or responsible organization, is a term used for the process of porting over a toll free number from one service provider to another. In fact, Newton’s Telecom Dictionary defines RespOrgs as “telecommunications providers that have responsibility for obtaining 800 service numbers from the Service Management System and building and maintaining customer records.”
Customers often look to switch toll free number service providers due to expensive rates or unsatisfactory call quality or customer service. Whatever the reason may be, porting over your number to a new, more dependable service provider should be easy. Fortunately, with RespOrg, it is. The RespOrg process is typically simple. You fill out a form and provide it to your new service provider. The new service provider will then submit it on your behalf to your previous provider, requesting for them to release the number(s) so that it can now be supported on their system.
History of RespOrg
RespOrg is still a fairly new concept. Before its introduction in May 1993, 1800 numbers belonged to telecom carriers, not the end-user customers, making it impossible for customers to switch toll free number service providers without switching their business toll free number, too. As you can imagine, this brought on huge controversy. As a result, the change was made to allow consumers have the right to “own” their purchased toll free number(s).
Under today’s rules, the toll free number carriers, one who controls minute traffic, cannot prohibit a customer from “RespOrging” – transferring responsibility for – that number to another carrier.
Terms for RespOrging
The form used to port over numbers from one service provider to another is handed off between the two telecommunication companies. In this form, the customer must authorize the transfer, as well as provide personal and billing details as they relate to the number. Once the previous carrier receives this, they will usually release the number within 3-5 business days. However, conditions do exist. Should the customer be behind on payments associated with that number, the previous carrier will not release until the debt is cleared.
On some occasions, previous carriers can be uncooperative in releasing the number or purposely delaying the process. In this case, the customer and its new service provider can put in a request for a NASC.
RespOrg vs. NASC
In the case that a carrier refuses to release a number, one can place a request for a NASC. A NASC is different than a RespOrg in that the request for a transfer is submitted directly to the independent third party called Service Management Systems (SMS). This organization completely manages the entire 1800 database, and has the authority to process a RespOrg on the previous carrier’s behalf, should they be uncooperative.
When RespOrging a number, it is important to note that you should do so with carriers who have their own RespOrg ID and is a member of the SMS. These two things often decrease the likelihood of complications and result in more speedy RespOrg processes.