Ref: 72/02
date: 09 December 2002

Need to get hold of an emergency plumber but don't have the number for one?

Want the number of your local cinema and to find out what films are showing?

Directory enquiries will be transformed from midnight tonight, with the launch of a whole range of new services and tariffs to give consumers real choice of who to call when they want to check a phone number.

Oftel estimates that there are around 700 million callers to directory enquiries each year.

For the first time these consumers will have a wide choice of directory enquiries service and will not be restricted - as with 192 - to the company that provides their phone line.

Around ten different companies will be providing a wide range of new services on easy-to-recognise, six-digit numbers starting 118. These companies range from small specialist operators to large household names. More services will follow in the New Year.

As well as the basic directory enquiries service, consumers will be able to choose from innovative new services too. These will include:

• 'call completion' - where a customer is directly connected to the number sought, rather then having to hang up and redial;

• conventional and classified listings on the same number - so that a customer can, for example, ask for The Mexican Restaurant on Acacia Avenue or alternatively the numbers of all Mexican restaurants listed in Brighton; and
• valued added services such as film listings when you phone for the number of your local cinema.

Oftel allocated the first new 118 numbers in May to allow new companies into the market to compete on a fair and equal basis. Existing directory enquiries numbers will operate alongside the new numbers until August 2003.

David Edmonds, Director General of Telecommunications said today:

"For the first time consumers will have an easy choice of directory enquiries services at a range of different prices.

"So if you want to order flowers, but don't know the name of a florist nearby, help is at hand.

"Whether you want a straightforward phone book listing, or to check the number of your local cinema and the films showing, or to book an Italian restaurant in your local area - there will be a service to suit you.

"And there will be real competition on price too, with the choice to pay per minute or through a one-off charge - or both.

"I am delighted to see a significant number of companies taking this opportunity to enter the market to provide new services for consumers.

"Oftel's research shows that consumers are keen to take advantage of these new services and I expect to see rapid take up in the coming months."

Notes to editors

1. The first new directory enquiries services will be launched at 00.01 on the morning of Tuesday 10 December. The following companies are launching on BT's network on 10 December:

British Gas Communications, BT, Core Telecommunications Ltd (trading as Opal Telecom), The Number UK Ltd, One.Tel, Orange, and Telegate with more services likely to launch in the New Year.

2. A full list of 118 services available at launch on BT's network will be available from Oftel's website at www.oftel.gov.uk/consumer/for/dqs/ from 9.30 am on Tuesday 10 December.

3. All directory enquiries services must operate under the ICSTIS Code of Practice when they advertise their directory enquiries service. ICSTIS is the premium rate service regulator and has special rules about how pricing information should be displayed on advertisements to avoid consumer confusion. ICSTIS can be contacted on 0800 500212 or for press calls 020 7940 7474.

4. As well as individual marketing campaigns, a consumer guide on the new directory enquiry services is available on the Oftel website at www.oftel.gov.uk/publications/consumer/2002/dq1202.htm. Directory enquiry service providers are distributing an insert with all BT phonebooks giving general consumer information about the changes and a listing of numbers available. And an industry website will be established in the New Year giving consumer information about directory enquiry services.

5. The new directory enquiry services will operate on six-digit numbers starting 118. The existing short numbers used for directory enquiries (192 for national and 153 for international) will continue to work in parallel until at least the end of August 2003 to let people get used to the change. After the parallel running period, the old numbers will be withdrawn and there will be a recorded message advising consumers of at least one new 118 directory enquiries number and making it clear that there will be more options for consumers.

6. The 195 service for customers unable to use a conventional phone book due to disability will remain unchanged.