Directory Enquiries 118 rip off

Hi all

I just wanted to end January with an additional money saving tip in relation to the outrageous cost of dialling 118 directory enquiries services.

From 1957 to 2003, UK landline callers wanting directory enquiries could dial only one number 192.  When the service ceased in 2003 192 charged 40p.

Ten years ago, in 2002, this all changed when telecom regulator Oftel (now Ofcom) opened up the directory-enquiries market to competition. Very soon, over 200 different providers were competing to capture callers seeking phone numbers.

Ending 192’s monopoly should have reduced prices and improved service levels. In fact, a decade later, the cost of dialling directory enquiries has sky rocketed.

Let’s take a look at the true cost of calling a 188 directory enquiries number.

Two companies now control almost the entire market for 118 calls. The Number (118 118) and BT (118 500). The charges levied by these companies are huge and are broken down as follows:

1. Connection charge: Just to connect to a 118 service could cost you roughly 50p.

2. Per-minute fee: For every minute or part-minute you spend finding a number, you’ll pay upwards of £1.

3. Call connection
The costs increase at an alarming rate if you make the expensive mistake of being put through to the requested number. If you agree to allow the 118 operator to connect your call, then you’ll pay additional sky-high call connection per-minute charges until your call ends. One customer has complained to Ofcom after paying over £350 for a single 118-connected call. Even a short two minute call to a 118 number which has been ‘call connected’ could cost as much £15.00!

4. Calling from mobiles: 118 calls from landlines are expensive, but from mobiles, they are astronomically overpriced. We recommend you use Google as it’s FREE!

Why not use a free alternative

With up to 200 million yearly calls made to 118 providers, Brits are wasting as much as £400 million a year on directory enquiries charges. How can we stop these excessive charges?

The simple answer is to not use their services.

Instead, try calling 0800 118 FREE (0800 118 3733) from a landline. This is a FREE, advert-based service for landline users provided by The Number (also the operator of 118 118).

Our advice is don’t bother with 118 services – use Google instead.

Regards

David