BT monopoly falls as new '192s' are announced

Oftel is to unveil new phone numbers for companies wanting to provide directory enquiries services to the UK public - ending BT's virtual monopoly with its 192 service.

All new numbers will comprise six digits, all starting 118.

So far cable companies, mobile phone firms and overseas directory services from Germany (see http://www.silicon.com/a47514 for more) and Ireland have applied to run services. In total, Oftel will issue 300 new numbers.

According to the Guardian more than 700 million calls were made to directory enquiries last year and the market is worth around £280m per year. BT currently handles around 70 per cent of enquiries with cable companies redirecting customers dialling 192 to their own services accounting for the bulk of the remaining calls.