21 March 2005
The UK's phone directory services are continuing to disappoint and confuse consumers according to a series of new independent studies.
A report by Bloomberg reveals that nine out of ten Britons have not been in any way impressed by the new services since the market opened to competition in 2002 whilst prices have risen to an average of 50 pence a call.
This represents a 20 per cent increase on that charged by BT for the same service.
Over 70 per cent of people who do still use the 118 services admitted to finding them confusing whilst ten per cent of numbers given to directory customers were found to be incorrect.
Meanwhile, a survey from uSwitch found that 67 per cent of consumers in the UK wanted the old service reinstated.
The director of independent comparison and switching service at uSwitch.com Jon Miller, commented after a National Audit Office inquiry into 118 services: "Our research clearly states that more than two thirds of Brits want the old 192 directory enquiries service back.
"Public feeling about the 118 services has been consistent since launch as our research highlights and it is astonishing that 18 months on, there is still confusion in the market place."
Mr Miller continued: "Effective competition can deliver real cost savings and improved services to consumers when it works well - however confusion is currently rife and consumers aren't aware of the choices available to them.
"Further to opening up the market to competition, Ofcom now needs to create awareness of the different services, ensure price transparency and also look to incentivise service providers to raise their game, which should help competition develop in this market. "
Don't pay more than you need to on everyday things. Switching utility, financial and home phone suppliers is easy and saves you money at uSwitch.com.
© 2008 Adfero Ltd
Content for the uSwitch.com market news service is provided by a third party, Adfero Ltd. Whilst uSwitch.com makes reasonable efforts to check the reliability of this content, uSwitch.com does not guarantee the accuracy thereof or endorse the views or opinions given by Adfero Ltd, unless expressly stated otherwise.