Cutting through the 118 confusion

So you wondered who's behind all those different 118 directory enquiry numbers in the UK and how much they cost? Well, here's a humble attempt to get together useful information about the available directory enqueries.
Below you'll find 48 numbers, - far more than currently available on the official Ofcom site. Click here why.
To start cutting through the 118 confusion, you'll have to know there are four fundamentally different ways of charging:

All prices are for calls from a BT landline. For mobile rates click here.

Other 118 news

• OFCOM has released the June review of Directory Enquiries Services with the following conclusions:
  • 87% of all numbers requested in response to a realistic profile of enquiries were given correctly.
  • Calls were answered by an advisor within an average of 8 seconds.
  • Typical call duration was under 1 minute.
  • There is no direct correlation between a provider's accuracy and its cost. Some of the most accurate services were also the cheapest.
• If you need a number while you're looking at this page, try it online for free from BT here.

DQ is dead. Long live DQ.

Directory Inquiries (DQ) in it's previous uniform 192 face has ceased to exist. Now when you dial 192 you'll be able to hear a free phone number (0800 321 070) where you get one number chosen at random from the pool of available 118 numbers.

What are the rates if I dial 118 from my mobile?

This one is a bit tricky. Generally, mobile operators are not very forthcoming with their pricing plans for special services. However, I've found most of the information so far. Click on the below relevant network operator.

• O2
• Vodafone
• Orange
• T-Mobile
• Three

Why aren't all the above numbers on the official Ofcom site?

The newdirectoryenquiries.com site is an initiative created by the DQ-IWG – an Ofcom supported committee of the various DQ providers. I'm told that their website is not open to new entries. Furthermore it is a paid listing which includes a mass mailing of a leaflet containing the same information which BT have agreed to mail in their BT Phone Book. That's why you don't find all the numbers on the official Ofcom site.

Thank you to ...

• ... John for the adjusted 118 707 rate.
• ... Quentin for the adjusted 118 848 rate.
• ... Paul for the 118 019 find.