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'''1-800-FREE411''' is an [[United States|American]] service offering free directory assistance.

'''1-800-FREE411''' is an [[United States|American]] service offering free directory assistance.

Callers dial 1-800-FREE411 (1-800-373-3411) from any phone in the [[United States]] to use the toll-free service, which allows them to obtain residential, [[business]], or [[government]] phone numbers. Sponsors cover part of the service cost by playing advertising messages during the call. Callers always hear an ad at the beginning of the call, and then another after they have made their request. Each ad is typically about ten seconds long.

Consumers dial 1-800-FREE411 (1-800-373-3411) from any phone in the [[United States]] to use the toll-free service, which allows callers to obtain any residential, [[business]], or [[government]] phone number for no charge. Customers who do not use a free service typically pay $1 to $2 to place each 411 call. Sponsors cover the service cost by playing short advertising messages, about 12 seconds long, during the call. A consumer using the service to find a number could hear targeted ads or general (branding) ads. Consumers may choose to have driving directions texted to them following a call.

Callers can also have driving directions sent to their cell phones via text message. These directions are available between any addresses or intersections in the [[United States]], but will work only with cell phones.<ref>http://localmobilesearch.net/node/467</ref>

1-800-FREE-411 runs on voice automation technology provided by Nuance Communications. <ref>http://www.speechtechmag.com/Articles/?ArticleID=37348</ref>

1-800-FREE-411 runs on voice automation technology provided by Nuance Communications. <ref>[http://www.speechtechmag.com/Articles/?ArticleID=37348 SpeechTechMag.com: Nuance and Jingle Networks Enter Strategic Partnership<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>

Jingle Networks aims at attracting customers away from an existing fee-based market. The ''Wall Street Journal'' described it as "inspired by the business model of [[Google]]".<ref name=WSJ>{{cite news

 

'''Jingle Networks''' aims at attracting customers away from an existing fee-based market. The ''Wall Street Journal'' described it as "inspired by the business model of [[Google]]".<ref name=WSJ>{{cite news

|url=http://www.kelseygroup.com/news/2006/wsj_060420.htm

|url=http://www.kelseygroup.com/news/2006/wsj_060420.htm

|title=Your Listing, and a Word From Our Sponsor

|title=Your Listing, and a Word From Our Sponsor

|accessdate=2006-11-03}} Article reprinted on kelseygroup.com.</ref>

|accessdate=2006-11-03}} Article reprinted on kelseygroup.com.</ref>

==Corporate overview==

==Corporate overview==

The parent corporation, Jingle Networks, was formed in 2005, and by the spring of 2008 had, according to TechCrunch, "captured a six percent market share of directory assistance calls." <ref>[http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/21/on-the-road-to-an-ipo-jingle-networks-prepares-to-launch-a-voice-ad-network/ On the Road to An IPO, Jingle Networks Prepares to Launch A Voice Ad Network<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> According to Investors Business Daily, Jingle Networks receives about 20 million calls per month. <ref>http://www.investors.com/ibdarchives/ArtShow.asp?atn=285184279999594&sy=&kw=google,_s|_microsoft_s|_look_s|_to_s|_connect&ps=76&ac=</ref>

The parent corporation, Jingle, was formed in 2005, and by the spring of 2008 had, according to TechCrunch, "captured a six percent market share of directory assistance calls." <ref>http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/21/on-the-road-to-an-ipo-jingle-networks-prepares-to-launch-a-voice-ad-network/</ref> According to Investors Business Daily, Jingle Networks receives about 20 million calls per month. <ref>http://www.investors.com/ibdarchives/ArtShow.asp?atn=285184279999594&sy=&kw=google,_s|_microsoft_s|_look_s|_to_s|_connect&ps=76&ac=</ref> Since the company's launch, Jingle has amassed a base of 130,000 paying advertisers. <ref>http://www.free411.com/about/pressreleases/p20080626</ref>

On October 23 [[2006]], Jingle Networks announced that it raised $30 million in third round financing from Goldman Sachs and Hearst Corporation. Also on that date, Jingle Network's CEO volunteered on TechCrunch that his company was losing on average 5 cents for every call they processed.<ref>[http://www.talkcrunch.com/2006/10/23/interview-with-jingle-ceo-and-venture-capitalist/ TalkCrunch » Blog Archive » Interview With Jingle CEO and Venture Capitalist<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> On[June 25, [[2008]], TechCrunch announced that Jingle had reached per-call profitability. <ref>[http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/06/25/jingle-networks-proves-their-free-business-model-works/ Jingle Networks Proves Their Free Business Model Works<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>

On October 23 [[2006]], Jingle Networks announced that it raised $30 million in third round financing from Goldman Sachs and Hearst Corporation. On June 25, [[2008]], TechCrunch announced that Jingle had reached per-call profitability. <ref>http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/06/25/jingle-networks-proves-their-free-business-model-works/</ref>

== References ==

== References ==

<!-- These are the references from "1-800-free411".  Perhaps they can be worked into this article somewhere?-->

<!-- These are the references from "1-800-free411".  Perhaps they can be worked into this article somewhere?-->

* [http://www.snopes.com/inboxer/nothing/free411.asp "Free 411"] at ''Snopes.com: Urban Legends Reference Pages.''

* [http://www.snopes.com/inboxer/nothing/free411.asp "Free 411"] at ''Snopes.com: Urban Legends Reference Pages.''

* Rebecca Buckman, [http://webreprints.djreprints.com/1718300644730.html "Your Listing, and a Word From Our Sponsor"] at ''Wall Street Journal,'' 20 Apr 2006.

* Rebecca Buckman, [http://webreprints.djreprints.com/1718300644730.html "Your Listing, and a Word From Our Sponsor"] at ''Wall Street Journal,'' 20 Apr 2006.

* Micharl Arrington, [http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/03/15/1-800-free-411-has-6-market-share-of-us-411-market/ "1-800-Free-411 has 6% market share of U.S. 411 market"] at ''TechCrunch.com,'' 15 March 2007.

* Micharl Arrington, [http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/03/15/1-800-free-411-has-6-market-share-of-us-411-market/ "1-800-Free-411 has 6% market share of U.S. 411 market"] at ''TechCrunch.com,'' 15 March 2007.

* Paul Davidson, [http://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/telecom/2007-06-14-free-411-usat_N.htm "Free 411 service goes after rivals for license fees"] at ''USA Today," 14 June 2007.

* Paul Davidson, [http://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/telecom/2007-06-14-free-411-usat_N.htm "Free 411 service goes after rivals for license fees"] at ''USA Today," 14 June 2007.

* Michael Arrington, [http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/10/23/jingle-networks-has-now-raised-over-60-million/ "Jingle Networks has now raised over $60 million"] at ''TechCrunch.com,'' 23 October 2007.

* Michael Arrington, [http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/10/23/jingle-networks-has-now-raised-over-60-million/ "Jingle Networks has now raised over $60 million"] at ''TechCrunch.com,'' 23 October 2007.