April 21, 2003
Who do you call to get the number for...
...Directory Enquiries?
Surely it was the service everyone in the UK knew how to use. Very simple directory enquiry service... Dial 192 and get through to your telco provider's directory enquiry service, ask for the number for the person or business you want and go on your way.
Now it is set to be sooooo different it isn't even funny. Thanks to the deregulation of the directory enquiries service in the UK we will now have a grand total of 16 (yes, that's sixteen) different numbers to choose from each with their own tariff scheme. It's really 15 if you're not welsh as the welsh only get one number really.
Oftel are prepared to give out 300 numbers for this service!
The 192 shortcode is also being withdrawn as is 153 for international assistance.
What was wrong with knowing you could dial 192 and get assistance to find a phone number?
The new numbers (at least some of them) can be found on newdirectoryenquiries.com and there's a FAQ on the Oftel website.
At least we've got we've got til August 2003 to get used to it I suppose, still seems daft though...