900 number - Definition and Overview

A 1-900 telephone number, in the North American Numbering Plan, usually has the form 1-900-###-####. A call to one of these numbers can result in a high per-minute or per-call charge. For example, a "psychic hotline" type of 1-900 number may charge $2.99 for the first minute and 99 cents for each additional minute.

Some uses of 1-900 numbers:

• Video game tips
• Horoscopes/psychics
• Dating/party lines
• Erotic one-on-one chats
• Voting (e.g. for TV shows)
• Contests

Phone lines can be configured to prevent the dialing of a 1-900 number, but said configuration is not done by default - the customer has to call the phone company.

See also

• Premium rate telephone number.