Ref: 13/02
Date: 1 March 2002

Oftel has today confirmed that new six digit numbers for Directory Enquiry (DQ) services will be allocated to telephone companies by the end of May.

New directory enquiry services for consumers could then be launched in the next few months following the allocation.

The new numbers will mean more companies will be able to offer Directory Enquiry services, and the introduction of competition should allow consumers to benefit from lower prices and a greater range of new services.

The new DQ numbers will all begin 118, followed by a further three digits, (118xxx) to ensure there are plenty of numbers available to meet the predicted demand.

David Edmonds, Director General of Telecommunications said today:

"Consumers will have real choice in the Directory Enquiry market for the first time in the UK. This should lead to lower prices and more specialised services, which are currently enjoyed in other European countries that have introduced competition.

"Oftel has produced a fair and simple allocation process for telephone companies wanting to obtain the new numbers, whilst confirming our intention to avoid issuing some numbers that might cause consumer confusion."

New services should be available within a few months and might include the introduction of ‘call completion’ facilities connecting people directly to the number requested and services in a range of languages.

Notes to Editors

1. The statement Allocating Access Codes for Directory Enquiry Services is available on Oftel's website at www.oftel.gov.uk/publications/numbering/2002/dq0202.htm. Hard copies are available to the media from Oftel's Press Office on 020 7634 8991 and to the public from Oftel's Research and Information Unit on 020 7634 8761

2. Eligible companies should submit their applications for DQ numbers between 9am, 18 March 2002 and 5pm, 22 March 2002. Should more than one company request the same number(s), they will be allocated via a random selection procession process, to ensure each company has an equal opportunity to obtain their preferred numbers.

3. Oftel will not issue certain numbers, such as 118 192, to prevent consumer confusion with codes used in the past and ensure a level playing field for all companies wanting to offer services.

4. As Oftel announced in September 2001, after a period of parallel running with the new 118 DQ numbers, the existing short numbers used for DQ services such as 192 and 153 will be withdrawn from use. This statement does not finalise the procedure for the withdrawal of existing Directory Enquiry numbers. Oftel is working with the industry and consumer representatives on the details of this procedure.

5. Oftel has also published issue 4 of the Numbering Conventions to take account of the number changes introduced. This is available on our website at: http://www.oftel.gov.uk/publications/numbering/2002/cons0302.htm