How to get Toll Free Number in India ?

IVR and toll free number has very close relation. Almost all toll free numbers in the world are first answered by an IVR before a caller can speak to human agent. Many people are almost impatient to speak to human agent after dialing a toll free number, while Ithe VR seems to get in between the caller and human agent with various prompts, questions, confirmation, hold music etc. This is one of the reasons why people hate IVR.

This post acted as an IVR so far ? It did not answer the question “How to Get Toll Free Number in India” yet! Actually, I keep getting mails asking the question, “how to get toll free number in India ?”, so I thought I would post about it.

Essentially, the toll free number is given by telecom company. In India, these companies majorly provide Toll Free numbers :-

1. BSNL : Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited

Most probably, this is the biggest toll free number provider in India having the largest network. Since it is a government undertaking, one should be ready to deal with government bureaucracy. BSNL can provide toll free number in almost all major cities, big towns in India and that is their main advantage.

2. Reliance Communications
They also provide toll free number and I think they have second largest telecom infrastructure in India after BSNL. They can also provide toll free number in many cities except North East India. They are efficient, good service and provide very competitive rates.

3. Tata Indicom
Tata indicom also provides toll free numbers. They also provide very good service, support and available in all major cities.

Apart from them, other old telecom companies like MTNL ( Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Limited), Airtel etc. can also provide toll free number as far as I know. I have bee using BSNL, Reliance and Tata toll free numbers only, so I have experience with these three telecom service providers.

These telecom companies have separate marketing team ( normally known as enterprise solution ) for providing toll free numbers, leased lines and they normally operate through franchisees. So, in order to get toll free number, you may have to contact their local franchisee in your city/area, and most of the time it may be easy to locate one for a new customer!

When looking for a toll free number, be sure to ask the telecom operator if the given toll free number would accessible from all telecom operators (both mobile and land line) or not! India has more than 8 telecom providers, so it is good idea to be sure and careful!

On final note, Toll free number is free for caller, but not for the toll free number owners. The charges vary from telecom operator to operator as well as call volume. The usual jargon used is “PRI lines” in the industry. One PRI line has 30 voice channels or thirty conversation at one point of time.

And finally, if any one wants toll free number in India, he can surely contact me.

Tagged as: Airtel, BSNL, india, MTNL, MTS, reliance infocomm, tata indicom, toll free, Uninor, Vodafone