Access Number
Access number is (1-Wireless) a phone number that can be used to directly dial a cellular or PCS customer in the local wireless system when they are roaming. To contact the roaming customer, the access number is dialed first and when a tone is received, the complete mobile phone number (area code and number) of the roaming customer is entered. The local system will then page the roaming customer. Access numbers were very important in the first few years of cellular service because the systems were not automatically connected. Because most cellular and PCS systems can automatically deliver calls to roaming customers, access numbers are rarely used. (2-calling card) A telephone number of a gateway that allows customer's to enter information that permits the connection of a call or access to information services.