freephone meaning: definition, etymology and quotations

freephone

noun

Etymology From free + phone, perhaps after the Freefone (0800 number) service introduced in 1985 in the UK.

Ireland, UK A service offering telephone calls free of charge to designated numbers.

If they are not marketed properly they can easily be viewed as a poor man's freephone. Therefore, if such a service is to succeed, it needs to be promoted...1997, Peter Murley, Gower handbook of customer service:
One reason for the increase in public contact with companies has been the introduction of freephone, or toll-free, services.2000, Owen Hargie, Dennis Tourish, Handbook of communication audits for organisations:

1 more example

Adding a freephone telephone number does increase response...2001, Dave Patten, Successful marketing for the small business:

verb

Etymology From free + phone, perhaps after the Freefone (0800 number) service introduced in 1985 in the UK.

Rare To call a freephone number.