Editing Directory assistance (section)

===Toll-free directory assistance===
In the U.S., directory assistance for companies with [[Toll-free telephone numbers in the North American Numbering Plan|toll-free]] "[[800 number]]s" (with area codes 800, 833, 844, 855, 866, 877, and 888) was available from toll-free directory assistance, reachable by dialing 1-800-555-1212, for many decades until it was discontinued in 2020.{{Cn|date=September 2024}}

Toll-free directory assistance was provided by telecommunication providers, namely AT&T and Verizon, as mandated by the [[Federal Communications Commission]]. Companies requested to have their toll-free number listed, and paid the providers each time their phone number was released to a toll-free directory-assistance caller.

In 1999, AT&T applied for permission to discontinue this service,<ref name="fcc">*{{cite web |url=http://www.fcc.gov/Bureaus/Common_Carrier/Public_Notices/1999/da992541.html |title=Discontinuance – AT&T Toll-Free Directory Assistance Service – 1-800-555-1212 |access-date=28 December 2007 |author=AT&T Inc. |author-link=AT&T Inc. |date=16 November 1999 |work=FCC Public Notices |publisher=[[Federal Communications Commission]]}}
</ref> but it remained active until the summer of 2020.{{Cn|date=September 2024}} An automated disconnection recording now plays when calling the 1-800-555-1212 number.{{Cn|date=September 2024}}