First there was the toll free number bubble. Instead of waiting on a customer service line or writing a letter to a business you had a concern or inquiry with—whichever would take the shortest amount of time—you could take a number on a business card and dial up the company at your own convenience as well as theirs. Businesses became more accessible, and with the deregulation of the 800 number, toll free service providers began to blossom and assist.

Blocking unwanted phone calls on toll free numbers is now more critical and easier than ever…

Business phone lines are under constant assault from unwanted calls today, which literally threaten to damage profitability and put those without this capability at a distinct disadvantage to their competitors.

Originally started in the early 1960s as a “Freephone” service in the United Kingdom, AT&T capitalized on the opportunity to create an alternative collect calling method and reduce the need for operators. The service was introduced as IN-WATS, or Inward Wide-Area Telephone Service, and was used by major hospitality companies such as the Americana, Hyatt, Marriott, Rodeway, Sheraton and Quality Inn. Unfortunately, the call centers were so difficult to operate that the service providers soon went out of business.

In cities spanning across the United States, you can always find an 800 toll free number located on top of a parking meter in case you’re out of change or if the machine just isn’t taking your credit card. In the interest of upping the ante of efficiency, a new mobile app is coming out that will allow users to pay for their parking. The project, headed by the Seattle Department of Transportation in partnership with the Seattle Police Department—Parking Enforcement, is set to be implemented around fall 2012.