Mobiles becoming like landlines
10th July 2009
From next week (w/c 13th July), a new directory will be launched containing up to 15 million mobile phone numbers. This will enable individuals to search for mobile phone numbers of other people, just by putting their name into a website. The telephone directories for landline phones has been around for years, but it is a surprise to many that this will now exist for mobiles.
The numbers have been obtained from three different sources, none of which are from the phone owners themselves.
The sources are: market research companies who contact individuals and ask them if they would mind their details being sent on to third parties; online businesses who often ask customers to tick boxes regarding their contact details during normal online transactions; and finally, from brokers who buy and sell mobile phone lists they gather from retail outlets.
None of this practice is illegal, and it has been cleared by the Information Commissioner’s Office, as they classed it in a similar light to those companies who obtain mobile phone numbers for cold calling purposes. But from week commencing 13th July, you could find a number of people have your mobile phone number without you or anyone you know having given it to them.
The database is run by 118800, it will cost £1 every time you want to use it - and it might be the case that the person’s mobile phone you are looking for is not available on the database. As previously indicated, the database only includes 15 million numbers, out of the 40 million mobile phones in the UK.
There is an option to become ex-directory, just visit the website http://www.118800.co.uk/ and choose the “Ex-Directory” option on the top right hand side of the page.
Whether this is a positive or negative addition to the mobile phone revolution remains to be seen. I think it will be a case whether you yourself find it useful, or whether you find more people ringing you who you never wanted to have your number.
>But from week commencing 13th July, you could find a number of people have your mobile phone number without you or anyone you know having given it to them.
As far as I’m aware this isn’t true - the 118800 company have to contact you to ask if you mind the number being passed on. This may still end up being a nuisance, but it won’t result in any “number of people have your mobile phone number without you or anyone you know having given it to them”.
The website has been down for some time too — probably due to the number of people being on to take their number ex-driectory.
Thanks for your comment Jon, I also understand this is the case now, i.e. about being asked your permission. I have also found a lot of conflicting reports about this. It will be interesting to see if the directory lasts at all.
Hi, my name is Neil and I work for 118800,
Just to clarify a few points
We don’t give out mobile numbers. 118800 is a service for connecting people that know each other’s name and address. In the majority of cases it will be a friend or colleague who has lost your number or doesn’t have it on them and needs to get in touch. If you are contacted it will be by 118800 calling to announce the name of that person, or sending a text message with the name and number of the person trying to get in touch. It will then be up to you whether you want to speak to them or not.
For more information please visit our website on http://www.118800.co.uk/
Or watch how the service works http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JNgLWB123JA
Thanks for the clarification Neil, it is much appreciated. It is useful to confirm how the directory works, for those who may find it useful.
,..] http://www.digitalbirmingham.co.uk is one relavant source on this topic,..]