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1989-04-05
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7KB
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160 lines
***************************
* *
* BRITISH TELECOM *
* ¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯ *
* DIRECTORY ENQUIRIES *
* ¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯ *
***************************
When British Telecom brought in the 45p charge for using Directory
Enquiries everyone assumed that it was just another way to rake in more
money from the long suffering subscribers. 'Not, so!' says BT, 'it's to
stop the telesales people tying up our operators all day long'.
Absolute tosh! While rooting around a bulletin board and after talking to
Dave Cowling the following information has come to light. I think after
reading it you will agree that the prime reason for raising the charge,
telesales, has been negated and only you and I are paying for the service.
THE FACTS
¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯
BT's computerised Directory Enquiries service is now called DAS (Directory
Assistance Service).
This is a hybrid of the American system used by the Bell Telephone company
in the States.
All of the UK telephone numbers are held in a national database the
information can, and is, sold to anyone who wants it. These people include
direct (junk) mailing companies, mail order companies and possibly anyone
else who writes and you don't know where they got your address.
DAS - THE BREAKDOWN
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The DAS stores its data in 5 levels:
LEVEL 1 ~ BASIC ENTRY
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All names are placed into this level unless the subscriber requests
otherwise. Names addresses and numbers are placed into the local
paper directories, into the DAS database and supplied to mailing
companies.
LEVEL 2 ~ NON-PHONEBOOK
¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯
Subscribers do not appear in paper-based directories, but everything
else is the same as LEVEL #1. This used to be how people avoided junk
mail however as its easier to buy address lists in computer readable
format than scan phonebooks manually...
LEVEL 3 ~ EX-DIRECTORY (CALLS OFFERED)
¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯
This is the first level of 'EX-DIRECTORY'. Although the DAS will not
give out numbers it is possible to ask for the Ex-D operator who will
then call the ex-directory number and ask for the party by name. They
will then ask if you want to accept the call from the named caller.
If 'yes' the call is connected otherwise the caller is told that you
are unavailable.
This service costs the subscriber about £9 per quarter extra.
Names and addresses do not appear in paper-based directories, but are
still available to mailing companies!
LEVEL 4 ~ EX-DIRECTORY (NO CALLS)
¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯
This is the second level of 'EX-DIRECTORY'. Callers are not permitted
to ask the Ex-D operator to ask the party if they wish to speak to
the caller.
Subscribers names and addresses do not appear in paper-based
directories, but still appear on the DAS records albeit without
telephone numbers. So mailing companies can still get them.
LEVEL 5 ~ NO QUOTED REFERENCE (NQR)
¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯
Here a subscribers name, address and telephone number will not appear
in paper-based directories or the DAS database. The only people who
will know of this subscribers existence are the ACCOUNTS GROUP - who
send out the monthly bills.
COSTS
¯¯¯¯¯
Only the Level #3 service will cost subscribers anything. All others are
free and it is assumed that subscribers can transfer between them without
penalty.
It would appear that some BT Districts are unsure of the correct
procedures and will attempt to fob off enquirers. If anyone has any
trouble the sysop at 'BUZBYS GRAPEVINE' (041 762 2000) will take up the
case on their behalf if they leave a message for him.
ACCESSING DAS
¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯
If you call from a private line it will cost 45p (including VAT) to find
out up to three numbers.
Calling from a payphone lets you access the service free of charge. I have
even heard of companies installing payphones for this service alone.
It is possible to take out a subscription to the PHONEDISC service where
the DAS database is sent out on CD-ROM disc. The CD-ROM has all business
and residential numbers, is updated quarterly and costs £2600 per annum.
The final method is to access the DAS directly (PHONEBASE). This can be
done using a modem and simply loging into the database. Other than the
cost of the telephone call this service is free!.
REGISTERING FOR PHONEBASE
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This is a relatively easy (and painless) process. Call 0800 919 1999 and
ask the operator for details about accessing phonebase.
She will tell you that you will need a modem capable of speeds up to 2400
baud, ie almost any one. Some simple comms software which they can supply
free of charge (for PCs - just note at the bottom of the registration form
what size disc you need).
Apart from that it is simply a matter of filling in the registration form
and them replying with the number to call, user id and password.
USING PHONEBASE
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To use PHONEBASE a V21,V22,V22bis or V23 modem is required together
communications software (ideally that can emulate a VT100 terminal).
Registered users are provided with a User ID and password.
Calls are charged at the B1 rate which gives 50.35 (cheap), 32.00
(standard), 23.95 (peak) seconds per unit cost (presently 4.935p inc VAT).
The numbers available are only those made available for inclusion in BTs
phonebooks and does not include any ex-directory information.
SOURCES
¯¯¯¯¯¯¯
BUZBYS GRAPEVINE BBS for the information on DAS, the levels and charges.
It is also a good source for all things concerning Telecommunications.
Call 041 762 2000.
DAVE COWLING for the 'phone number of the PHONEBASE enquiries part of BT.
Call 0800 919 1999 (remember 0800 is a freephone number so it doesn't cost
anything to ask!).
---OOOO---
DAVE MOONEY