Author Archives: Richard Leonard

Bromancing The Phone Chat Line For Bros Commercial Parody Video

What are you doing of your Friday nights? Bros before hoes, right? Not to be confused with a gay chatline, Bromancing the Phone is the chatline just for bros.

Created by comedy sketch group ASAP has the answer, Bromancing the Phone is a fake chatline for bros to connect on the phone. Simply call 1 (800) COOL-BRO and you’ll be connected to all of the bros in your area.

For more party line sketches check out The Gangster Party Line, The Jesus Chatline and this funny Peter Griffin cameo on a TV commercial for a late night naughty chatline.

The Gangster Party Line

What is The Gangster Party Line

“Meet Local Gangstas Who Want To Talk Shit All Night Long” is the motto of the Gangster Party Line, a video parody making fun of late-night urban chatlines in the United States.

Launched in 2005, the comedic project quickly went viral. Major entertainment websites including CollegeHumor and LiveLeak picked up and featured the parody. Since then, this hilarious mock-ad has been shared millions of times and it has even been dubbed into other languages.

The accompanying website, GangsterPartyLine.com allows visitor to listen to actual recordings from real callers.

The Gansta Party Line was created by Adam Schary. The TV commercial parody was written and directed by stand up comedian Brent Weinbach.

The Jesus Chatline was another party line parody which gained significant popularity in social media channels.

Update: Also check out Bromancing the Phone, the chatline exclusively for bros.

Alternative Applications for Phone Chatlines

Alternative Uses For Phone Chatlines

Alternative Applications for Phone Chatlines

As much as chatlines are seen by a majority as an avenue for finding that ‘special’ someone, there are many unseen and alternative uses attached to them. Some of them include:

1. To Practice Your Communication Skills

Chatlines provide a safe and secure avenue for someone who’s otherwise shy or socially anxious to polish up her interpersonal interaction skills. Something that can actually get in the way of landing a mate or simply acing that interview to that coveted job that requires excellent oratory skills.

Speaking of which, if you look at it keenly, ( particularly for guys ) dating lines can be a valuable platform to horn your ‘hunting’ skills. And this is something I have learned from both observation and experience. The idea of talking to a complete stranger and keeping the conversation fire burning even if it’s for just a couple of minutes is an invaluable gift of garb especially in a day and age dominated by instant messaging apps.

Ask any woman today who has ever tried meeting guys via chat rooms, and they will gladly tell you of their disappointed when the reality falls short of meeting their expectations. I’m not talking about the perceived physical attributes ( most women can be accommodating as long as you’re decent enough) but about the oratory deficiency. As it so happens, the charming and funny guy who wins your heart in the chatroom can barely hold a lively conversation for more than a few seconds in person, when you two finally decide to meet for coffee.

And this doesn’t have only to be in the context of love or romantic relationships. Even in purely platonic settings, you still need a way with your words if you want to spice up life around you at all. Human beings are generally social creatures; the crown always goes to the man or woman who expresses themselves in a fluent, candid and charming manner. What’s a better way of polishing up your oratory skills than by hitting up a few strangers and engaging them in a friendly conversation?

2. To Get Unbiased Advice from Non-Subjective People

Have you ever reached a point in your life where you feel you could use a nugget of wisdom from a impartial individual. Leave alone your office or marriage counselor who probably even knows the nitty gritty of your personal life. No, I’m talking about a total stranger who doesn’t know anything about you – not even how you look like. From experience, such people typically make the best advisers/confidants when it comes to dishing out meaningful jewels of wisdom.

Again, in such a controlled environment, you’re the one to choose how much you want to reveal as opposed to what happens when you go a friend/co-worker for advice. In the latter case, ( as it so naturally occurs ), the friend in question will, first of all, analyse your past life, then use it as a benchmark to advise you. Some will even go to the extent of misadvising you for personal gain or just to see you fail. Mostly, this is rarely any helpful nor insightful.

On the other hand, an anonymous person rarely has anything to gain ( or lose ) when giving out his own unique opinion or advice. And such a different point of view might be just what you need to see things from another angle.

3. To Make New Friends (Both Male and Female)

Do you know why modern ‘girl-boy relationships’ have become such a bore? It’s because nowadays people approach new friendships with the opposite sex with the narrow-mindedness of either hoping to have them for themselves or, at least, sleep with them. This kind of premeditated expectations/assumption is the greatest cause of social anxiety in many settings today. If the current trends are anything to go by, most men today can’t speak confidently to a pretty girl ( without fumbling aimlessly ) because half of the time they are wondering if she like them enough. The result is the current generation of smartphone addicts who only communicate via texts messages.

Fortunately, however, the good ‘ol chatlines remain the only avenue where you can interact with other men and women without being viewed through the lens of a having hidden sexual intentions. If anything, some people have become lifelong besties with people of the opposite sex just via chatline services. Never mind the fact that sometimes these people never get around to meet in real-life – heck, at times, they are virtually continents apart. But the notion that you have an anonymous best friend to call regardless of what is happening around you is just priceless.

4. As A Therapeutic Platform to Vent Out For When Life Gives You Lemons

The best thing about talking to a complete stranger ( about your problems ) is that they rarely judge you or your situation by jumping to conclusions. It is also the reason people hire therapists to help them dissect their love and professional lives despite having tens of friends and family members around them.

It’s only natural to want to vent out when life throws you a curve ball you can’t handle, and a chatline agency can be your best option especially when other aspects of your life are already crumbling away. So instead of burdening the people around you with new baggage, why not start afresh with a new circle of ‘personal therapists’ with whom you can share and analyze the woes of our sordid modern life?

5. To Conduct Anonymous Market Research

Anonymity can be a blessing in disguise, especially when you’re trying to get people to open about the private details of their lives. In fact, research shows that people are five times likely to be honest with a complete stranger than with someone they’ve known for some time. Therefore, if you’re trying to conduct research of some sort, or just gauge people’s opinion/sentiments, then a chatline service can prove to be a gem. The mere assurance that you’re not going to disclose the personal identity of the person you interview can be a motivating factor in getting them to open up about even the most personal aspects of their lives.

Remember that you can always enjoy the benefits of using phone chatlines by claiming an entirely free trial. Give it a try.

Can you think about any other alternative uses for chatline? Lets talk about it in the comments below.

Happy New Year! New Chatline Trials

New Year, New Free Phone Dating Chatline Opportunities

Happy New Year! New Chatline Trials

As the new year sets in, many phone chatline companies are resetting their used free trial databases. You see, millions of phone numbers (or DIDs) are recycled every year in the US. People change cell phone companies or get new phones. A teenager gets a new cell phone and inherits the number from a somebody who recently moved out of the country. Chatline companies know this and for this reason they decide to purge clean the database of used free trials. This is good news for you. If you’ve used all your trials in 2015, your phone number might be eligible for new trials in 2016.

These are the most promising chatline numbers for 2016:

You can find all the chatline free trial access numbers here.

Chatlines, Partylines, and Hotlines: Whats The Difference

Chatlines vs Hotlines vs Party Lines

People often confuse the three different types of “lines”; chatlines, partylines, and hotlines. Each of these different forms of communication serve the similar function; to get people in contact with someone they haven’t exactly been in contact with in the past. Even though they all serve a similar function they do, also, have their differences.

Chatlines

Chatlines have a self-explanatory purpose. The purpose of a chatline is, simply, to meet and chat with new friends or even finding a potential lover. Since everyone now-a-days seems to have some type of social anxiety. If they seem to have lost the ability to communicate with another person face to face. They can call a chatline and be randomly connected to another individual who has a similar or common interest.

Many people using chatlines are looking for friendship, dating, or a simple conversation. They do not, usually, serve the purpose of trying to find someone a sexual partner. This from of connection generally has an individual call in and they are asked a series of question’s. Once the questionnaire is finished they move on to trying to match the person with someone who has similar interests or common attributes.

For example, a man calls in looking for a woman who has the same taste in movies or books. The system asks the questions and allows the gentleman to give a brief description of who he is and what he’s looking for. With all the information collected, the systems create a virtual profile that is then broadcasted to a number of different women with commonalities. This is where the “chat” comes in. The two are connected and allowed to chat for a given number of minutes. Once the conversation is ended, they are then given the opportunity to swap personal information or end the connection there. Similar to a crowded bar or dance club, chatlines depend on female callers to attract men to the line. That’s why most chatlines allow women to connect free. Men are offered a free trial after which they are expected to buy talk time. Minutes can be purchased at a discount as part of package or individually.

Party Lines

Since the late 1800s, way before every household in North America had a dedicated phone line, telecom companies would offer a shared phone service known as a party line. An entire building or neighborhood would share a single line. This type of phone service would provide no privacy in communication. Anyone could listen to active conversation by picking up their handset. Similar to a public bathroom, being a party line subscriber meant anyone wishing to make a call had to wait for the single shared phone line to be available in order to use it.

By the 1970s party lines began to be replaced by private lines all across the United States. Until then, sharing a phone line bill among multiple subscribers had allowed many middle-income earning families to afford the convenience of in-home phone service. Due to technological advances and widespread installation of copper phone wires, private phone lines became affordable. Universities also phased out party lines, which were once common in student dormitories. Illinois State University terminated its last party line in 1990.

Today, the term “party line” is more commonly attributed to voice bulletin services such as chatlines and phone sex lines which people can call to “have a party”. These systems are not party lines in the original sense of the term as users call in using multiple, individual lines. Unlike chatlines, modern “party lines” denote a more sexual agenda. People call a chatline to make friends; they call a party line looking for erotic conversation.

Hotlines

The third “line” seems to be one of the most common and semi-important. Hotlines have become a “life-line” to some people. With hotlines like; crime victims, suicide hotlines, emergency hotlines, and even “coming out” hotlines. We have given our society the ability to get any type of help or assistance needed almost in an instant. With suicide hotlines, people who feel they have no will to live can now call and speak to an individual to assist them in getting some sort of treatment or mental help. The suicide line itself has helped save a number of lives by just giving the individual someone to call and speak to about whatever may be bothering them. And with the bullying problem the US has in itself, this hotline gives those who are bullied the confidence they need to walk through the next day one step at a time. Another hotline is the “coming out” hotline. With many people finally starting to understand who they really are. This type of hotlines gives them the ability to, somewhat, explore their thoughts and feelings when it comes to their sexuality. In the past many people weren’t given this option let alone the ability to understand who they really are as a person.

A major form of hotline is the emergency lines. Being able to get in contact with emergency personnel, such as police officers and fire fighters, is very important in the time of crisis any of us have.

Each form of “line” has it purpose and its faults. From the social chatlines to the possibility of getting an infection in the party line. We have connected almost every individual on this planet in one form or another. The beauty is, certain connections can be made to save lives in more ways than one. With the suicide line helping to, somewhat, mentally stabilize a person until they have the ability to seek the medical attention needed. Also the emergencies lines to put someone in touch with the responders who can literally save the lives of you and everyone around you. There is never and will never be shortage of people on this planet that need help. And with those people who are in need will always come someone who is ready and willing to help in one way or another.

Even if the help you need is finding a date for your grandmothers seventh wedding. There will always be some form of open communication to help get whatever you may need and sometimes give you what you want. In conclusion, we should be thanking our fore-fathers for giving us the freedom to speak to and say almost anything we want. Whole giving thanks to Alexander Graham Bell and Anotonio Meucci for starting the process of connecting our individual voices to one another.

Antique Rotary Phone

The History of Phone Chatlines

Each day, hundreds of thousands of people from all over the world call a chatline. Technology and the internet have evolved from local only services multi-channel global platform today. Today, some of the most successful and well established chatlines include QuestChat, Fonochat, Livelinks and Nightline. But, how and where did the idea of chatlines really come from?

The first chatline is believed to have started as a local dating service in California around 1981. Callers used to dial a premium toll (1-900) phone number in order to obtain information about tarot, astrology, lucky numbers, lottery number and weather and erotic conversations.

As soon as the business model was proven, small local chatlines where quickly run out of business by national brands with larger advertisement budgets. National chatlines still advertise local access numbers in each major city, in order to avoid long distance costs to the caller, but they all connect to the same national system.

Local phone companies billed the callers who called the chatline companies, and would then share the generated revenue with the chatlines companies. At the end of the day, the chatlines companies used to walk away with 40% of the total revenue, while the remainder went to the phone companies.

When the major telecom companies decided to retire premium toll 900 numbers, chatlines had no option but to start billing the client directly to their credit cards. This allowed chatline companies to keep more of the profit by not having to share 60% of of the profit with the phone companies. At the same time, chatline companies where now able to start offering free chat line trials which helped. It also allowed the chatline companies to differentiate male and female callers, and offer females 100% free access in order to attract males…

In 1988, the State of New York, at the height of the AIDS crisis forbade telephone companies from terminating phone chatlines. New York State Health officials believed chatlines were preventing the spread of HIV and STDs during the height of the AIDS and STD crisis. Phone sex, after all, is totally safe sex.

The Major Chatline Operators

First Media Group

First Media Group is an award-winning full-service company founded in 1985. The company is hailed for its role in the growth and development of the chatlines industry, and is one of the most successful companies owning more than three chatlines.

QuestChat – the leading phone chatline connecting singles in North America – is owned by this company, and was formed in 1988. It went on to quickly become the most preferred chatline for sexy local singles in North America. Come 2015 and thousands of singles are still choosing QuestChat to assist them meet and mingle with new people.

Today, they have a QuestChat mobile app that people are fully making use of to find love and happiness in their lives.

Apart from QuestChat, the company also owns and manages Nightline – a phone chat that has also been doing well in recent years, and attracting many singles as well across North America.

Teligence

It may have been started 5 years later after the formation of the First Media Group Inc, but Teligence has made it possible for millions of people around the world to connect for fun, friendship or dating; wherever, however and whenever they want.

The company started off as a single chatline and evolved to creative multi-platforms that have been pushing the boundaries of innovation for mobile, voice and web communication. The company’s take on branding made it possible for like-minded singles to easily find and interact with each other.

Teligence owns Livelinks, one of the largest chatline in North America. It also started FonoChat; a chatline similar to Nightline, which connects Hispanics together.

The Future of Chatlines

With rising communication technology advancements, some chatline numbers were by early 1999 able to offer callers the ability to download videos on their personal computers, as an awesome benefit of being a member.

Indeed this was a very popular and successful feature back then which saw thousands of single men and women as well as gays, joining various chatlines that were in operation.

Come 2005 and callers would now enjoy what is perhaps one of the best chatline services to date – live cams. Callers are now able to see one another, while conversing and this made the chatlines business even more successful and amazing.

Some people argue that this is what really attracted many other companies into the chatlines businesses, like we now see today. However, there are some companies that really played a big and very important role as far as the history of chatlines is concerned.

As more and more chatlines continue to emerge, it remains to be seen what impact they will have in the end on the people using them and entire industry at large. However, we of course expect more developments as far as chatlines are concerned, to sustain the rising demand among people from various parts of the world.

Chat Apps Are The Future Chatlines

Top 10 Chat Apps For iOS and Android Smartphones

Top 10 Chat Apps as Chatline Alternatives

QuestChat App

Connect live whenever and wherever you want with the new QuestChat Dating App! Strike-up a flirty conversation by text, connect live by voice, or show-off your best assets with video – the choice is yours. Find what you’re looking for by adjusting your search preferences and start connecting with local singles today.
It’s free to try, 100% private and easy-to-use. Try it now!

Nightline App

Now you can flirt and chat with singles near you using the new Nightline free chat app. Browse voice profiles, send and receive instant voice messages, or connect one-on-one for a completely private conversation. What you talk about is up to you! It’s 100% free to download, fast, discreet and easy to use.

Everyone you hear on the Nightline app is live, and ready for hot chat. Go ahead and flirt shamelessly – with real time voice chat you can connect safely and easily without sharing your phone number and you’ll enjoy faster, clearer communication versus traditional texting. It’s so fun and easy to listen to local or national singles and send private voice messages using your handheld android device.

Ladies get the thrill of talking to someone new safely, without revealing your specific location or identifying information.

Lavalife App

Take the fun with you with the Lavalife.com dating app for Android and iOS. The app offers all the same features as the website plus exclusive app-only bonuses like LavaLounge. Download the app now!

Hardline Chat App

Keep the conversation going with the Hardline Chat app! Powered by our unique voice technology, the HARDLINE app has everything you need to take your conversation to the next level. Connect live with voice or chat via IM with our integrated photo and video platform. Show off your stuff with a video on your profile, then add your voice greeting to express your intention. Within seconds you will have messages from other hot gay, bi and curious guys from your local area! You only need one hand to use our simple and discreet app- so the other one is free for whatever you might need it for.

Second Smart Phone Line

How to Add A Second Line To Your Smart Phone

Second Smart Phone Line

Having more than one phone number often makes sense, especially for those who have a business. When it comes to work-life balance, having separate business and work numbers is one of the best ways to let work-related calls after six in the evening go directly to voice mail. Likewise, it could also prohibit personal calls during office hours. Having a second line is also a foolproof way prevent a phone number from appearing in your mobile phone statement, such as if you’ve been calling a dating chatline or psychic line and you don’t want anyone to find out.

The question is, is it possible to add a second line to your smartphone? The answer is yes. Adding a second line to your smart phone is easy. It will cost anywhere from free to $25 a month and up — the price will depend on the type of line you want, how many calls you’re going to make, and the features being offered in the bundle.

Here are some of the best ways to get a second line to your smartphone.

Free Options

Flyp | GetFLyp.com

This is available for both Android and iOS smartphones. Basically, this app allows the user to add up to 6 phone numbers on a single device. The cost could range from free to $29.99 a month, but it’s also possible to add an additional given at a cost of $2.99 to obtain an additional phone number.

Aside from separate phone numbers, the Flyp app also allows the user to manage voicemail, texts, and the like. You can also customize the area codes on each number, making it easier for your contacts to reach you wherever they live, without worrying of long distance charges.

2. Google Voice | Google.com/Voice

Google Voice is similar to PBX front-end service that has a phone number that could route calls to one or several phone numbers, such as office, cell, home, or even VoIP. When somebody tries to call you through Google Voice, Google will ring all the phone number consecutively until you answer the call.

Google Voice iOS App

Google Voice is free of charge, and it is only available in the US.

3. Line2 | Line2.com

With Line2, you can have a second phone number that can be used to send and receive calls. You can use line 2 from any compatible device, such as your tablet, computer or smart phone.

Line 2 App

3. Skype | Skype.com

Best known for video chat, Skype also allows the user to enjoy voice and conference calling to landlines and mobiles, as well as texting. Because of the number of options available, setting up Skype to make outgoing calls can be bit tricky. In order to get a full-featured phone setup, there’s a need to add several services. However, you’ll only have to pay for services you’re going to use.

4. Truphone | Truphone.com

Truphone offers two services– the Tru App for smartphones; and Tru SIM that allows users to call through the Tru network. Truphone focuses on international calling and it’s possible to acquire numbers from other countries, such as the US, UK, and even Australia in order to provide a local calling option for people calling from these locations.

For $13 a month, you can enjoy an unlimited calling to US numbers, and by adding $5 per month, you’ll get a phone number that will allow you to receive incoming calls.

VOIP Services

For those who often use their mobile devices for business calls, as well as text messages, you ought to know that the fees from your carrier can skyrocket quickly. However, with the use of suitable apps and programs, you’ll be able to add a second line that will allow you to use WiFi in order to make voice calls and text messages from your smartphone or desktop with no extra fees at all. All you need is an Internet connection and that’s it.

With that, a VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) can be one of the most inexpensive ways to add a second phone line. VoIP allows you to make voice calls as long as you have a working Internet connection and with it, you can even turn your WiFi only device into a phone.

Vonage | Vonage.com

Vonage App

Disposable Numbers

Disposable numbers are also known to add a layer of additional privacy when communication is necessary and emails can’t be used.

Burner | BurnerApp.com

The disposable voice call, SMS, and voicemail-compatible number app is free of charge. All you need is one “burner” account and an in-app credit packs to acquire more numbers with your chosen area code. We can say it’s one of the best disposable number apps out there.

burner-app

LineUP | Lineup-App.com

This app provides toll-free numbers, aside from local lines. You can purchase a line for $3 and it will last a month, and pay for texts and minutes depending on your needs.

YOONumbers | BurnerApp.com

Although this app won’t let you do outbound calls, you still could create a local number so that the international callers won’t suffer from high rates whenever they try to reach you. Call forwarding and recording are some of the most notable features of this app. It can be downloaded for free, and depending on the number’s location, the app will base its fee on credits.

Hushed | Hushed.com

Hushed App

Similar to Burner, Hushed can be downloaded for free, and you can easily purchase credits in the app itself wherein, a 1-week number costs $2, and you can also consider the pay-per minute rates if you want.

Additional Numbers from Your Carrier

Back in the days, AT&T, as well as other carriers offers more than one phone number to a phone line. Each of these numbers also has a distinctive ring. However, all out going calls show up the same caller ID coming from the primary number. Although this is still available, distinctive rings are no longer a feature a customer can acquire. You can always talk to your carrier to find the option perfect for you.

When it comes to adding a second line to a smartphone, Google voice is the best free option available, mainly because it’s highly reliable and free of charge. VoIP calls are also possible, but you’ll need a data plan and VoIP calls could even use up the monthly data allotment rather quickly. For those who spend most of their time within a WiFi range, and don’t mind setting up everything, Google Voice would be the best choice.

Old Style Home Telephone

A Brief History of 1-900 Premium Toll Phone Numbers

Old Style Home Telephone

Premium toll, or 1-900 lines as they are famously known in the US, have had a long and chequered history among companies and subscribers alike. In the early 80’s, AT&T was tasked with providing said numbers for use in situations where networks were polling their viewers in a bid to catch the mood of the public on a variety of subjects. In the States, The numbers were first tried out by ABC in a bid to find what the public thought about the just concluded debate between Ronald Reagan and Jimmy Carter. The exercise was a resounding success, and the practice picked from there.

It is important to note that there is a bit of confusion regarding the first documented use of this number, with some accounts pointing out that premium rate calls were actually used in 1977 after the election of Carter, where viewers were supposed to call in and pitch questions to the president. The official position is that the earlier uses of the number were ad-hoc, and that the restructuring carried out by AT&T in 1980 officially flagged off the technology. Back in the day, the regular charge was $50 per call, after which the proceeds would be shared by the service provider and the company drawing callers in on various topics.

When a premium rate is applied, then the charges billed to the customer are way higher than the prevailing market price for a regular call. In situations like that specific, premium rate numbers are used. One of the key differences between premium and regular calls is that in the former, some of the fee is paid directly to the company providing the service while the latter does not operate quite like that. A premium contact is handled precisely the same way a toll-free call would, regardless of the areas involved. Due to the fact that premium calls tend to be expensive, blocking is now being provided to ensure that subscribers do not have to pay for services they have not requested or enjoyed.

Milestones

In 1980, the 1-900 was redesigned to factor in area codes, and this structure remains to date. The pricing outlook has varied over time, and there are situations in which the rate diminishes as the user racks up more minutes. At the beginning, there were no restrictions as to who could access these numbers at any time, which is why a child racked up a bill of $17,000 in 1987. The California Public Utilities Commission moved fast, passing statutes that required companies to restrict access to premium rate exchanges. The technology was open for use, and up to the late 80’s, whoever wanted to provide the services did and made plenty of money while at it. This led to congestion in the market, and there were widespread calls from the public and lawmakers to streamline the technology and restrict its application.

In 1985, AT&T had introduced a system whereby it paid out commissions to companies wishing to use the system, but this state of affairs was to change dramatically two years down the line. The same provider now decided that each sponsor could set a premium rate but with a maximum limit placed at $2.00 per minute. This new approach came with plenty of weaknesses, the major one being that it could not allow multi-programming, hence restricting the interactive aspect of calls.

The 90’s: a period of diversification

In the late 80’s, the focus on shows and polls remained, but there was a strong desire to move to areas that had not been explored before. The adult entertainment took notice of the potential of premium rate calls, and they dug in with zest. Companies cropped up and encouraged users to maximize the application of these technologies in adult sexual communication and the culture grew. Such an approach may not have been perfect, but it certainly formed the basis of what we now know as modern dating chat lines. Today, we have vastly sophisticated avenues such as QuestChat and LiveLinks, and while they are hugely advanced, they thrive upon an idea hatched in boardrooms in the late 70’s and put into use in the 80’s and 90’s.

1-900 numbers also came in handy when companies were offering technical support, stock market information and banking services. While the use of premium rate numbers boomed in the early years of diversification, application dwindled going into 1991, and companies such as MCI and AT&T. The early 90’s also featured the vigorous commercialization of pay-per-call services, regardless of the audience involved. Marketing gurus started enticing children to make calls by use of cartoon broadcasts and Santa Claus ensemble. Parents raised an alarm as a result of increasing phone bills, and the FTC moved to streamline things, scrapping off such commercials in the process.

Controversies

Premium rate numbers have faced plenty of setbacks and criticism. After inception, companies took advantage of unsuspecting users to drive phone bills sky high. Advertising had little in the way of discretion, which led to exposure and exploitation of children. Scammers also joined the fray, making it hard to distinguish between legitimate companies and unscrupulous businesses out for easy cash. The number is very much around, but the scale of use is not as it was, say, 2 decades ago.

Modern times

Today, premium rate lines are used for a variety of purposes, and the top ones involve:

The internet has played a pivotal role in the diminishing importance of the 900, as have other factors indicated earlier. The authorities in the United States and some parts of Europe provide a stringent set of rules governing the use of these numbers-for example, consumers are granted the right to disclaimers before making calls. They are also allowed to block specific numbers and can hang up three seconds into a call to avoid getting billed.

1-900 numbers have been around for over three decades now. Starting out in the USA, they quickly made inroads across Europe and South America, looping in diverse audiences from across the board. They have now been eclipsed (to an extent) by the internet but still find use in banking, customer care and dating.

The Donut Chatline

The Donut Chatlines, What They Are and How They Work

The Donut Chatline

The Donut chatlines by Talkee.com are the only chat lines offered to the public totally free! Other chatlines do offer free trials, but will try get your credit card on file and start to charge you by the minute after your trial is over. Before you know it, you’ve lost track of the time and you’ve racked up a ton of credit card charges that you didn’t expect and don’t really want to pay! The good news is that you no longer have to go through a whole complicated process to talk to other people and have a good time. All you have to do is have a telephone and dial onto your local Donut chatline.

The nice thing about using Donut is that it is a totally safe way to chat to other people (as long as you dont share personal information). If you’re new to the service, this is just a normal phone call. Donuts are completely open to the public; you can use it any time as long as you have a working phone. The donut chatline offers free phone chat, and as a result, the service is not screened. Users must use their own judgment when it comes to chatting over the phone. Donut chatlines requires callers to be over 18 to use this service, that you agree to never give out your personal phone number while using this service, you agree to never give out your name, and you never give out your address. This is obviously to protect your safety and to prevent those who use the service from tracking you down online, calling you at your home, or knowing where you live. Safety and personal protection is of the utmost importance.

Talkee.com requires that users agree to abide by these rules in order to participate in the chatline service. There are absolutely no charges for using this service and no hidden fees. Donut chatlines are a hidden gem. The chatline is not heavily advertised and does not charge, but because of this, they might not be as crowded as the maintstream chatlines like Livelinks or QuestChat! Yes, the service is not moderated, but as long as you never give out personal information or your social media information to others, this is not a problem.

There are absolutely no charges for using this service and no hidden fees.

CB Live Personals is one of the most popular choices for users. You can also go to Talkee.com and post a photo of yourself and view the photos of others. However, you do not need to go to talkee.com in order to use the service; you just need to call the phone number!

Users have their choice of back rooms and front rooms. If you’re in a room chatting with someone and you want to chat privately, you can swap the 3 digit code you received at the beginning and then pressing the ‘star’ key. This will likely work the best. You can also choose to hit 3 then 5, 3 then 6, or 3 then 7 at the same time, and the computer will hook you up in a private room. This does run the risk of you going into a private room with someone else than the person you wish to go in the room with, so it’s best to swap the code if you want to be sure you’ll both be getting into the same room.

If you’re live and you want to go to back rooms, press 10 through 30. If you want to go to the Bulletin Board, press 2. If you want to go to Personals, press 4. If you’re live and you want to go to the CB Live Personals, press 3 and you’ll go there. Press 9 to go to the Directory and press 8 in a live room to see how many people are in the room and a voice will tell you (and only you) how many people are in the room. You can also create your own personal room be pressing the pound key, with your own code and pin code to enter. You can also tell your friends and have your own room no one else knows about.

Have some fun and chat with people you know or people you don’t with Donut Chatlines from Talkee.com! There are local numbers for some major cities for added convenience. Life can need a little excitement from time to time. Free phone chat is a great way to shake up your Saturday night and meet new people! Go to Talkee.com to find out more!

These are the main Donut chatline numbers:

Phoenix, AZ Donut: (712) 432-8848
Tucson, AZ Donut: (712) 432-3509
Hartford, CT Donut: (218) 895-2165
Tallahassee, FL Donut: (712) 432-3507
Baltimore, MD Donut: (218) 844-3724
Bronx, NY Donut: (218) 237-4494
Brooklyn, NY Donut: (218) 237-4493
Manhattan, NY Donut: (218) 237-4492
New York, NY Donut: (218) 237-4077
Queens, NY Donut: (218) 237-4495
Staten Island, NY Donut: (218) 237-4496
Cleveland, OH Donut: (218) 862-3796
Providence, RI Donut: (218) 895-2160
Seattle, WA Donut: (712) 432-8833
American, WA Donut: (712) 432-3505