**Before the**

**Federal Communications Commission**

**Washington, D.C. 20554**

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| In the Matter of                 | *  | CC Docket No. 95-155         |
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| Toll Free Service Access Codes   | ** |                              |
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ORDER

**Adopted: August 31, 2006 Released: August 31, 2006**

By the Deputy Chief, Wireline Competition Bureau:

# INTRODUCTION

1.  Before the Commission is a request filed by the American National
    Red Cross (Red Cross) that asks the Commission to permanently assign
    a toll free number, 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767), to the Red
    Cross or to extend the current emergency reassignment of that number
    until September 2, 2007.[^1] On September 2, 2005, the Commission
    reassigned the number 1-800-733-2767 to the Red Cross to assist in
    recovery efforts for Hurricane Katrina and other relief efforts for
    a period of one year.[^2] The Red Cross subsequently amended its
    request to include the permanent assignment of the toll free number,
    1-888-RED-CROSS (1-888-733-2767) to the Red Cross.[^3] For the
    reasons set forth below, we grant the requests of the Red Cross and
    we permanently assign 1-800-RED-CROSS and 1-888-RED-CROSS to that
    organization.

# BACKGROUND

2.  In the *Red Cross Order*, the Commission temporarily reassigned the
    1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767) number to the national chapter of
    the American Red Cross to provide critical support in carrying out
    its functions and assisting in protecting public safety during the
    aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.[^4] The Commission took this action
    pursuant to its exclusive jurisdiction over numbering resources and
    its statutory obligation to consider and advance public safety.[^5]

3.  On July 17, 2006, the Red Cross filed a request for permanent
    assignment of the 1-800-RED-CROSS number or an extension of the
    current emergency reassignment until September 2, 2007. The Red
    Cross states that the use of this number has helped in its disaster
    assistance program for the victims of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita
    and continues to serve its efforts as it provides essential services
    to hurricane survivors.[^6] The Red Cross reports that callers to
    1-800-RED-CROSS now have immediate access to the Red Cross's major
    functions, including disaster assistance, blood donation, financial
    contributions, and connection with a local chapter.[^7] Continued
    use of the number will be important for the 2006 hurricane season to
    help the Red Cross meet its mandate to provide emergency assistance
    to victims of hurricanes and other disasters.[^8] On August 17,
    2006, the Red Cross amended its request to include the permanent
    assignment of the 1-888-RED-CROSS toll free number. The Red Cross
    states that assigning both 1-800-RED-CROSS and 1-888-RED-CROSS will
    ensure that those needing assistance in an emergency are not
    misdirected even if they forget whether the toll free number is
    "800" or "888."[^9] The Red Cross request, as amended, is not
    opposed.[^10]

# DISCUSSION

4.  We find that, because of the critical need to ensure efficient,
    effective, and sufficient disaster relief operations, good cause
    exists for the permanent assignment of 1-800-RED-CROSS and
    1-888-RED-CROSS to the national chapter of the American Red Cross.
    Under the Communications Act, the Commission has exclusive
    jurisdiction to administer numbering resources,[^11] as well as a
    statutory mandate to promote the safety of life and property.[^12]
    The Commission has long recognized that toll free numbers are a
    scarce public resource[^13] and are not the property of the
    individual entities to whom they are assigned.[^14] The Commission's
    rules make plain that the assignment of toll free numbers is
    ultimately subject to the Commission's direction.[^15]

5.  We find that permanent assignment of 1-800-RED-CROSS and
    1-888-RED-CROSS to the American Red Cross will serve the
    overwhelming public interest in assisting the disaster recovery
    efforts of the Red Cross related to hurricanes and other natural
    disasters. The Red Cross reports that the use of 1-800-RED-CROSS was
    a great benefit in its disaster assistance program for the victims
    of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita and continues to benefit the victims
    of those hurricanes as they rebuild their lives. We believe that the
    continued use by the Red Cross of 1-800-RED-CROSS, and the
    additional use of 1-888-RED-CROSS, will aid the victims of future
    hurricanes and other national disasters who find themselves in need
    of emergency assistance such as food, water, medical aid, and
    shelter. We agree with the Red Cross that the availability of both
    numbers will help to ensure that disaster victims reach the Red
    Cross quickly.[^16] Further, as we stated in the *Red Cross Order,*
    by facilitating the establishment of easily-recognizable, central
    telephonic points of contact for the American public, our permanent
    reassignment of these toll free numbers helps the American Red Cross
    fulfill its mission as the primary agency in the nation's National
    Response Plan, created by the Department of Homeland Security and
    adopted by the President, for responding to national disasters with
    emergency aid.[^17]

6.  Based on these compelling public interest benefits, we therefore
    direct the toll-free database administrator, Database Service
    Management, Inc., to permanently assign the toll free numbers
    1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767) and 1-888-RED-CROSS
    (1-888-733-2767) to the American National Red Cross.

# Ordering Clauses 

7.  Accordingly, IT IS ORDERED that, pursuant to sections 1, 4(i), and
    251(e), of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, 47 U.S.C. §§
    151, 154(i), and 251(e), and pursuant to authority delegated under
    sections 0.91 and 0.291 of the Commission's rules, 47 C.F.R. §§ 0.91
    and 0.291,[^18] the requests of the American National Red Cross ARE
    GRANTED and the toll free numbers 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767)
    and 1-888-RED-CROSS (1-888-733-2767) are permanently assigned to the
    American National Red Cross.

8.  IT IS FURTHER ORDERED, pursuant to sections 1, 4(i), 251(e) and 408
    of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, 47 U.S.C. §§ 151,
    154(i), 251(e) and 408, and pursuant to authority delegated under
    sections 0.91 and 0.291 of the Commission's rules, 47 C.F.R. §§ 0.91
    and 0.291, that this action IS EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY UPON RELEASE.

    FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

    Julie A. Veach

    Deputy Chief

    Wireline Competition Bureau

[^1]: American National Red Cross Request for Permanent Assignment of
    Toll Free Number or Extension of Emergency Number Assignment, CC
    Docket No. 95-155 (filed July 17, 2006) (*Request)*.

[^2]: *Toll Free Service Access Codes*, CC Docket No. 95-155, Order, 20
    FCC Rcd 15089 (2005) (*Red Cross Order*).

[^3]: American National Red Cross Amendment to the Request for Permanent
    Assignment of Toll Free Number or Extension of Emergency Number
    Assignment, CC Docket No. 95-155 (filed August 17, 2006) (*Amendment
    to Request).*

[^4]: *Red Cross Order*, 20 FCC Rcd at 15091, para. 5.

[^5]: *Red Cross Order*, 20 FCC Rcd at 15090, para. 4. In making its
    decision, the Commission also relied on the representation of the
    American Red Cross that it would reimburse the current holder of the
    number for "the reasonable costs of relinquishing the number." *Id.*
    at 15091, para. 6.

[^6]: *Request* at 3.

[^7]: *Id*. at 4.

[^8]: *Id.* at 1.

[^9]: *Amendment to Request* at 1-2.

[^10]: *See Pleading Cycle Established for Comments on Request of
    American National Red Cross for Permanent Assignment of Toll Free
    Number or Extension of Emergency Number Assignment,* Public Notice,
    DA 06-1461 (rel. July 19, 2006) and *Pleading Cycle Established for
    Comments on Amendment to Request of American National Red Cross for
    Assignment of Toll Free Number or Extension of Emergency Number
    Assignment,* Public Notice, DA 06-1658 (rel. Aug. 18, 2006).
    800Ideas.com, Inc. (800Ideas), the entity that relinquished the toll
    free number to the Red Cross in response to the *Red Cross Order,*
    filed an *ex parte* comment*. See Ex Parte* Comments of
    800Ideas.com, filed Aug. 2, 2006. 800Ideas reports that, pursuant to
    the Commission's direction in the *Red Cross Order,* the American
    Red Cross and 800Ideas have engaged in discussions concerning
    reimbursement of 800Ideas' reasonable costs of relinquishing
    1-800-RED-CROSS and are close to finalizing an agreement. 800Ideas
    stated that it does not oppose the request of the American Red Cross
    for permanent reassignment or extension. 800Ideas subsequently filed
    a letter withdrawing its petition for reconsideration of the *Red
    Cross Order* and indicating that the matter of its reimbursement
    costs was resolved. *See* Withdrawal of 800Ideas.com, Inc.'s
    Petition for Reconsideration, CC Docket 95-155, filed Aug. 11, 2006.
    800Ideas is currently assigned 1-888-RED-CROSS.

[^11]: 47 U.S.C. § 251(e)(1).

[^12]: 47 U.S.C. § 151.

[^13]: *Toll Free Service Access Codes,* CC Docket No. 95-155, Second
    Report and Order, 12 FCC Rcd 11162, 11178-11179, para. 22 (1997).

[^14]: *Id*. at 11185, para. 30.

[^15]: 47 C.F.R. § 52.111.

[^16]: As we noted in the *Red Cross Order*, only the American Red Cross
    can effectively use 1-800-RED-CROSS because the number does not
    spell anything that is of use to other parties. *Red Cross Order*,
    20 FCC Rcd at 15091, para. 6.

[^17]: *Red Cross Order,* 20 FCC Rcd at 15090, para. 3.

[^18]: *See* 47 U.S.C. § 155(c).