Update: February 4th, 2010. This directory is no longer available
UK mobile phone numbers are now available in an online directory at http://www.118800.co.uk/, which claims to have 15m numbers in its database. 118 800 obtains the numbers from market research companies who contact individuals and ask if they would be prepared to allow their numbers to be used for commercial purposes, from online businesses who ask customers to opt in their numbers during the course of online transactions, and from brokers who buy and sell lists of phone numbers. To search for a number you just type the name and location of the person into the 118800 website. You may be asked to supply further address details to confirm the identity of the person you wish to contact. 118800 then texts the person you wish to contact asking them if they are prepared to accept the call. The service costs £1.
There have been serious concerns raised about this service and its potential use by spammers, and also about the accuracy of the data. See the BBC web site at http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/working_lunch/8091621.stm and also 118 800: First UK mobile phone directory doesn't connect with us - Crave at CNET UK
If you wish to be ex-directory, go to http://www.118800.co.uk/ then click on ‘Ex Directory’ at top right hand side of the page. You will be asked for your mobile number and to type in letters from a CAPTCHA (those horrible distorted letters and numbers that take at least three attempts before you get it right). You should then receive a text message from 118 800 with a number that you have to type into the 118 800 web site to complete your opt-out. The FAQ says that it can take up to 4 weeks to make you ex-directory (why so long?)
Thanks to Bert Washington, membership secretary of CLSIG (Commercial Legal and Scientific Information Group), for circulating a reminder about the directory.
Their site is currently redirecting to a 'Service unavailable' page, which has a link back to their home page, which when you click on it returns you to the page that you've just come from. Not exactly well thought out really!
ReplyDeleteThat happened soon after I blogged and tweeted it. Perhaps they have been inundated with ex-directory requests!
ReplyDeleteSite is still down, on 17th July. So your interpretation is unlkely , Did it work before?
ReplyDeleteHi, im Neil from 118800.co.uk
ReplyDeleteThe website is currently unavailable while we improve the service we offer our customers. All ex-directory requests made prior to the 10th of July are being processed and we will be taking ex-directory requests again once the website is back up and running, which will be as soon as possible.
You will be able to do this free of charge from the website or by calling us on a low charge number from the phone you wish to make ex-directory.
We recommend you check whether you are in the directory first before taking the time to become ex-directory.
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 www.118800.co.uk
Or watch a video of how the service works 118800
thanks,
Neil