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From: johns@scroff.uk.sun.com (John Slater)
Newsgroups: comp.dcom.telecom
Subject: Re: Directory Assistance on CD-ROM
Message-ID: <14450@accuvax.nwu.edu>
Date: 6 Nov 90 18:39:32 GMT
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In article <14171@accuvax.nwu.edu>, tjo@its.bt.co.uk (Tim Oldham)
writes: |>

|> In the UK, (BT) charges for directory inquires are to be brought in
|> next year. (Mercury, the only other carrier, has always charged, I
|> believe.)

In fact Mercury used to be free too. They started charging about two
years ago. But I digress ...

|> This has lead to BT offering two alternative services for
|> inquiries; an dial-up on-line inquiries database, via modem (although
|> I'm not sure what speeds are to be offered; V.32 at best, I imagine)
|> and a CD-ROM + PC software solution.

The dial-in service is V.23 (blecch!). This is the brain-damaged
1200/75 baud system used by Prestel (aka Viewdata, but that was a long
time ago).  Sad but true. BT have said they will consider faster
modems if the demand is there.

My theory is that BT is recycling its old Prestel modems, now that
that service is in decline. BTW, you can also get through to Phonebase
(as it is called) via Prestel on page 192.

Somehow I think BT is more interested in making money on voice
enquiries (at 43 pence per call) than it is in providing a sensible,
low-cost data link.

The cheapest solution is to call directory enquiries from a payphone -
calls will still be free from these.


John Slater
Sun Microsystems UK, Gatwick Office