It seems that from tomorrow (Monday 4/12/6) 118118 will be offering a free  Directory Enquiry service according to The Guardian - read the article here.

pauld wrote on Dec 3^rd, 2006 at 1:32am:

It seems that from tomorrow (Monday 4/12/6) 118118 will be offering a free  Directory Enquiry service according to The Guardian - read the article here.

Brilliant.

I can see using this a lot from PayPhones when I am out and about and need a phone number to call.  Also to do a Nationwide number search (not allowed for residential phone customers at www.192.com or www.bt.com/directoryenquiries) and for customers who have their numbers part withheld from the phone book (not available again in the online DQ services) but are available on request on the voice based service.

I tried calling the number just now but it says that apparently the service only starts on a trial basis from tomorrow 4th December.

Not as good as it at first appears.

See http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showpost.html?p=3635649&postcount=15

Just use the geo alternative to 118 333 as found in the database, 0161 number!!!

Heinz wrote on Dec 3^rd, 2006 at 1:42pm:

Not as good as it at first appears. See http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showpost.html?p=3635649&postcount=15

Quote:

http://www.118.com/Help/Terms.htm You need to submit application form to use service.Which requires you to enter mobile no. http://www.118.com/registration/default.aspx "We will automatically include your mobile number in our database for the purpose of call connecting callers who wish to contact you. You can withdraw permission for this by e-mailing free@118.com but if you do so you will no longer be eligible to access or use 0800 118FREE. "

drat, drat and double drat I should have known there was a snag as I couldn't see how they could fund this for nothing.  Also presumably they ask for a mobile number because mobile numbers aren't covered by the TPS.  It reflects poorly on The Guardian journalist in question not to have mentioned all of this.

Of course I suppose you could always give them a mobile number of someone you didn't like ;)