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In this Report and Order (Order), the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) initiates an auction to distribute certain toll free numbers. The numbers to be auctioned will be in the new 833 toll free code for which there have been multiple, competing requests. 

By using an auction, the FCC will ensure that sought-after numbers are awarded to the parties that value them most. In addition, the FCC will reserve certain 833 numbers for distribution to government and non-profit entities that request them for public health and safety purposes. The FCC will study the results of the auction to determine how to best use the mechanism to distribute toll-free numbers equitably and efficiently in the future as well. Revenues from the auction will be used to defray the cost of toll-free numbering administration, reducing the cost of numbering for all users. The Order establishing the toll-free number auction will also authorize and accommodate the use of a secondary market for numbers awarded at auction to further distribute these numbers to the entities that value them most. The Order also adopted several definitional and technical updates to improve clarity and flexibility in toll-free number assignment.

The Commission sought comment and then adopted auctions procedures and deadlines on August 2, 2019.  Bidding for the auction occurred on December 17, 2019, and Somos issued an announcement of the winning bidders on December 20, 2019.  On December 16, 2019, to facilitate the preparation of its study of the auction, the Bureau charged the North American Numbering Council, via its Toll Free Access Modernization Working Group, to issue a report evaluating various aspects of the 833 Auction, and recommending improvements for any future toll free number auctions.

On January 16, 2020, Somos released all of the 833 Auction data for public review. On March 13, 2020, the Bureau invited public comment on the 833 Auction in preparation for issuing a report on the lessons learned from the Auction. Comments were due on April 13, 2020. On July 14, 2020, the North American Numbering Council approved the Toll Free Assignment Modernization Working Group’s report, Perspectives on the December 2019 Auction of Numbers in the 833 Numbering Plan Area.

On January 15, 2021, the Bureau released a report that examined various aspects of this toll free number assignment experiment, including lessons learned, examination of auction outcomes, and recommendations for future toll free number assignment.  The Bureau concluded that the 833 Auction was a successful experiment that provided invaluable experience and data that can facilitate further Commission efforts to continue to modernize toll free number allocation in the future.