Earlier I reported that I’d just received the last ever printed phone
directory.

On an inside page it also states:
The online services will also finish on 31.03.2024. Until then,please keep
visiting www.thephonebook.bt.com

On 12.02.2024 um 18:10 Uhr Tweed wrote:

> Earlier I reported that I’d just received the last ever printed phone
> directory.

I can fully understand why they discontinue the printed book.

> On an inside page it also states:
> The online services will also finish on 31.03.2024. Until then,please
> keep visiting www.thephonebook.bt.com

Why they discontinue that service?
Will there be an alternative to it?

--
kind regards
Marco

Send spam to muell456@cartoonies.org

On Mon 12/02/2024 20:04, Marco Moock wrote:
> On 12.02.2024 um 18:10 Uhr Tweed wrote:
>
>> Earlier I reported that I’d just received the last ever printed phone
>> directory.
>
> I can fully understand why they discontinue the printed book.
>
>> On an inside page it also states:
>> The online services will also finish on 31.03.2024. Until then,please
>> keep visiting www.thephonebook.bt.com
>
> Why they discontinue that service?
> Will there be an alternative to it?
>

So how is anyone supposed to find a private landline number (i.e. most
business numbers can be found on their web site) if there is no printed
or on-line phone book?

I suppose of course that BT are the only provider that produces a phone
book even though it only displays numbers that they provide (i.e. not
TT, VM, etc etc.)

Methinks there will be an awful lot of people with phones that never
ring - even discounting those people that have no on-line presence!

Woody <harrogate3@ntlworld.com> writes:

> On Mon 12/02/2024 20:04, Marco Moock wrote:
>> On 12.02.2024 um 18:10 Uhr Tweed wrote:
>>
>>> Earlier I reported that I’d just received the last ever printed phone
>>> directory.
>> I can fully understand why they discontinue the printed book.
>>
>>> On an inside page it also states:
>>> The online services will also finish on 31.03.2024. Until then,please
>>> keep visiting www.thephonebook.bt.com
>> Why they discontinue that service?
>> Will there be an alternative to it?
>>
>
>
> So how is anyone supposed to find a private landline number (i.e. most
> business numbers can be found on their web site) if there is no
> printed or on-line phone book?
>
> I suppose of course that BT are the only provider that produces a
> phone book even though it only displays numbers that they provide
> (i.e. not TT, VM, etc etc.)
>
> Methinks there will be an awful lot of people with phones that never
> ring - even discounting those people that have no on-line presence!

Perhaps you are supposed to phone 118811

or use

https://www.192.com/people/directory-enquiries/

On 12/02/2024 20:04, Marco Moock wrote:
> Why they discontinue that service?
> Will there be an alternative to it?

Probably few use it so advertising revenue, which probably help fund it,
will have dropped.

Many also were too lazy to use it and quite often would just ring the
premium rate services to get a number.

On Mon, 12 Feb 2024 20:53:38 +0000, Richmond <dnomhcir@gmx.com> wrote:

>Woody <harrogate3@ntlworld.com> writes:
>
>> On Mon 12/02/2024 20:04, Marco Moock wrote:
>>> On 12.02.2024 um 18:10 Uhr Tweed wrote:
>>>
>>>> Earlier I reported that I’d just received the last ever printed phone
>>>> directory.
>>> I can fully understand why they discontinue the printed book.
>>>
>>>> On an inside page it also states:
>>>> The online services will also finish on 31.03.2024. Until then,please
>>>> keep visiting www.thephonebook.bt.com
>>> Why they discontinue that service?
>>> Will there be an alternative to it?
>>>
>>
>>
>> So how is anyone supposed to find a private landline number (i.e. most
>> business numbers can be found on their web site) if there is no
>> printed or on-line phone book?
>>
>> I suppose of course that BT are the only provider that produces a
>> phone book even though it only displays numbers that they provide
>> (i.e. not TT, VM, etc etc.)
>>
>> Methinks there will be an awful lot of people with phones that never
>> ring - even discounting those people that have no on-line presence!
>
>Perhaps you are supposed to phone 118811
>
>or use
>
>https://www.192.com/people/directory-enquiries/

Most people are ex-directory, and data protection is an issue particularly when the home address is
made public.

BTW I've never heard any complaints about it not being possible to look up home addresses of those
without a phone.

On Tue 13/02/2024 07:23, Codger wrote:
> On Mon, 12 Feb 2024 20:53:38 +0000, Richmond <dnomhcir@gmx.com> wrote:
>
>> Woody <harrogate3@ntlworld.com> writes:
>>
>>> On Mon 12/02/2024 20:04, Marco Moock wrote:
>>>> On 12.02.2024 um 18:10 Uhr Tweed wrote:
>>>>
>>>>> Earlier I reported that I’d just received the last ever printed phone
>>>>> directory.
>>>> I can fully understand why they discontinue the printed book.
>>>>
>>>>> On an inside page it also states:
>>>>> The online services will also finish on 31.03.2024. Until then,please
>>>>> keep visiting www.thephonebook.bt.com
>>>> Why they discontinue that service?
>>>> Will there be an alternative to it?
>>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> So how is anyone supposed to find a private landline number (i.e. most
>>> business numbers can be found on their web site) if there is no
>>> printed or on-line phone book?
>>>
>>> I suppose of course that BT are the only provider that produces a
>>> phone book even though it only displays numbers that they provide
>>> (i.e. not TT, VM, etc etc.)
>>>
>>> Methinks there will be an awful lot of people with phones that never
>>> ring - even discounting those people that have no on-line presence!
>>
>> Perhaps you are supposed to phone 118811
>>
>> or use
>>
>> https://www.192.com/people/directory-enquiries/
>
> Most people are ex-directory,

Says who?

Woody <harrogate3@ntlworld.com> writes:

> On Tue 13/02/2024 07:23, Codger wrote:
>> On Mon, 12 Feb 2024 20:53:38 +0000, Richmond <dnomhcir@gmx.com> wrote:
>>
>>> Woody <harrogate3@ntlworld.com> writes:
>>>
>>>> On Mon 12/02/2024 20:04, Marco Moock wrote:
>>>>> On 12.02.2024 um 18:10 Uhr Tweed wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>>> Earlier I reported that I’d just received the last ever printed
>>>>>> phone directory. >>>>> I can fully understand why they
>>>>>> discontinue the printed book.
>>>>>
>>>>>> On an inside page it also states: The online services will also
>>>>>> finish on 31.03.2024. Until then,please keep visiting
>>>>>> www.thephonebook.bt.com >>>>> Why they discontinue that service?
>>>>>> >>>>> Will there be an alternative to it?
>>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> So how is anyone supposed to find a private landline number
>>>> (i.e. most business numbers can be found on their web site) if
>>>> there is no printed or on-line phone book?
>>>>
>>>> I suppose of course that BT are the only provider that produces a
>>>> phone book even though it only displays numbers that they provide
>>>> (i.e. not TT, VM, etc etc.)
>>>>
>>>> Methinks there will be an awful lot of people with phones that
>>>> never ring - even discounting those people that have no on-line
>>>> presence!
>>>
>>> Perhaps you are supposed to phone 118811
>>>
>>> or use
>>>
>>> https://www.192.com/people/directory-enquiries/ Most people are
>> ex-directory,
>
> Says who?

Maybe comparing the size of the phone book to its former glory. Assuming
that most people have a phone number of some sort. But as ex-directory
people were not in the phone book anyway I am not sure why it matters.

These days people always phone my mobile. I looked in the phone book to
see if there are mobile numbers listed and only found one.

(BT Directory enquiries is 118500).

On 12/02/2024 20:14, Woody wrote:
> So how is anyone supposed to find a private landline number (i.e. most
> business numbers can be found on their web site) if there is no printed
> or on-line phone book?

If you haven't got it, then you have no business phoning it, is the
default assumption.

--
For in reason, all government without the consent of the governed is the
very definition of slavery.

Jonathan Swift

On 13/02/2024 10:16, The Natural Philosopher wrote:
> On 12/02/2024 20:14, Woody wrote:
>> So how is anyone supposed to find a private landline number (i.e. most
>> business numbers can be found on their web site) if there is no
>> printed or on-line phone book?
>
> If you haven't got it, then you have no business phoning it, is the
> default assumption.
>
Also it harks back to the days when all telephones were provided by what
is now BT. So why should one company, BT , maintain it at their own
expense for the whole industry.

On 13/02/2024 13:09, grinch wrote:
> Also it harks back to the days when all telephones were provided by what
> is now BT. So why should one company, BT , maintain it at their own
> expense for the whole industry.

I thought the phone book only had BT numbers?

I wonder if they investigated whether enough people would pay to have
their mobile, VOIP and Mickey Mouse Telephone Company etc numbers listed
for those and whether it could be profitable.

Does that mean they want you to in future use their several pounds a minute
DQ lines then? Brian

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"Tweed" <usenet.tweed@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:uqdmuo$1l8sa$1@dont-email.me...
> Earlier I reported that I'd just received the last ever printed phone
> directory.
>
> On an inside page it also states:
> The online services will also finish on 31.03.2024. Until then,please keep
> visiting www.thephonebook.bt.com
>
>

Indeed you will just get scammers.
Brian

--

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"Woody" <harrogate3@ntlworld.com> wrote in message
news:uqdu7r$1mfp2$1@dont-email.me...
> On Mon 12/02/2024 20:04, Marco Moock wrote:
>> On 12.02.2024 um 18:10 Uhr Tweed wrote:
>>
>>> Earlier I reported that I'd just received the last ever printed phone
>>> directory.
>>
>> I can fully understand why they discontinue the printed book.
>>
>>> On an inside page it also states:
>>> The online services will also finish on 31.03.2024. Until then,please
>>> keep visiting www.thephonebook.bt.com
>>
>> Why they discontinue that service?
>> Will there be an alternative to it?
>>
>
>
> So how is anyone supposed to find a private landline number (i.e. most
> business numbers can be found on their web site) if there is no printed or
> on-line phone book?
>
> I suppose of course that BT are the only provider that produces a phone
> book even though it only displays numbers that they provide (i.e. not TT,
> VM, etc etc.)
>
> Methinks there will be an awful lot of people with phones that never
> ring - even discounting those people that have no on-line presence!
>
>

Woody <harrogate3@ntlworld.com> wrote:
> On Tue 13/02/2024 07:23, Codger wrote:
>> On Mon, 12 Feb 2024 20:53:38 +0000, Richmond <dnomhcir@gmx.com> wrote:
>>
>>> Woody <harrogate3@ntlworld.com> writes:
>>>
>>>> On Mon 12/02/2024 20:04, Marco Moock wrote:
>>>>> On 12.02.2024 um 18:10 Uhr Tweed wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>>> Earlier I reported that I’d just received the last ever printed phone
>>>>>> directory.
>>>>> I can fully understand why they discontinue the printed book.
>>>>>
>>>>>> On an inside page it also states:
>>>>>> The online services will also finish on 31.03.2024. Until then,please
>>>>>> keep visiting www.thephonebook.bt.com
>>>>> Why they discontinue that service?
>>>>> Will there be an alternative to it?
>>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> So how is anyone supposed to find a private landline number (i.e. most
>>>> business numbers can be found on their web site) if there is no
>>>> printed or on-line phone book?
>>>>
>>>> I suppose of course that BT are the only provider that produces a
>>>> phone book even though it only displays numbers that they provide
>>>> (i.e. not TT, VM, etc etc.)
>>>>
>>>> Methinks there will be an awful lot of people with phones that never
>>>> ring - even discounting those people that have no on-line presence!
>>>
>>> Perhaps you are supposed to phone 118811
>>>
>>> or use
>>>
>>> https://www.192.com/people/directory-enquiries/
>>
>> Most people are ex-directory,
>
> Says who?
>

Well the combination of ex-directory customers and folk using other
companies than BT for their land lines has decimated the phone book
already.

Tim

--
Please don't feed the trolls

JMB99 <mb@nospam.net> writes:

> On 13/02/2024 13:09, grinch wrote:
>> Also it harks back to the days when all telephones were provided by
>> what is now BT. So why should one company, BT , maintain it at their
>> own expense for the whole industry.
>
>
>
> I thought the phone book only had BT numbers?

No it has other numbers in. I saw a mobile number in it when I glanced
through.

On 13 Feb 2024 18:38:35 GMT
Tim+ <timdownieuk@yahoo.co.youkay> wrote:

> Woody <harrogate3@ntlworld.com> wrote:
> > On Tue 13/02/2024 07:23, Codger wrote:
> >> On Mon, 12 Feb 2024 20:53:38 +0000, Richmond <dnomhcir@gmx.com>
> >> wrote:
> >>> Woody <harrogate3@ntlworld.com> writes:
> >>>
> >>>> On Mon 12/02/2024 20:04, Marco Moock wrote:
> >>>>> On 12.02.2024 um 18:10 Uhr Tweed wrote:
> >>>>>
> >>>>>> Earlier I reported that I’d just received the last ever
> >>>>>> printed phone directory.
> >>>>> I can fully understand why they discontinue the printed book.
> >>>>>
> >>>>>> On an inside page it also states:
> >>>>>> The online services will also finish on 31.03.2024. Until
> >>>>>> then,please keep visiting www.thephonebook.bt.com
> >>>>> Why they discontinue that service?
> >>>>> Will there be an alternative to it?
> >>>>>
> >>>>
> >>>>
> >>>> So how is anyone supposed to find a private landline number
> >>>> (i.e. most business numbers can be found on their web site) if
> >>>> there is no printed or on-line phone book?
> >>>>
> >>>> I suppose of course that BT are the only provider that produces a
> >>>> phone book even though it only displays numbers that they provide
> >>>> (i.e. not TT, VM, etc etc.)
> >>>>
> >>>> Methinks there will be an awful lot of people with phones that
> >>>> never ring - even discounting those people that have no on-line
> >>>> presence!
> >>>
> >>> Perhaps you are supposed to phone 118811
> >>>
> >>> or use
> >>>
> >>> https://www.192.com/people/directory-enquiries/
> >>
> >> Most people are ex-directory,
> >
> > Says who?
> >
>
> Well the combination of ex-directory customers and folk using other
> companies than BT for their land lines has decimated the phone book
> already.
>
> Tim
>

I use Zen for my 'phone and broadband, and I just searched for myself,
and found me on the www.thephonebook.bt.com website, so they have access
to other networks' data. For now.

--
Davey.

Richmond <dnomhcir@gmx.com> wrote:
> JMB99 <mb@nospam.net> writes:
>
> > On 13/02/2024 13:09, grinch wrote:
> >> Also it harks back to the days when all telephones were provided by
> >> what is now BT. So why should one company, BT , maintain it at their
> >> own expense for the whole industry.
> >
> >
> >
> > I thought the phone book only had BT numbers?
>
> No it has other numbers in. I saw a mobile number in it when I glanced
> through.

When taking out a connection with another company (landline, VOIP, mobile)
there is sometimes a question of whether you want to be in the phonebook.
It either defaults to 'no', or you have to take some action like calling
customer service to ask to be included. So most people aren't by default.

There aren't a lot of reasons why you'd want to be included these days
anyway, which explains why it's awkward and roughly nobody does.

Theo

On Wed, 14 Feb 2024 00:26:30 +0000, Davey <davey@example.invalid>
wrote:

>On 13 Feb 2024 18:38:35 GMT
>Tim+ <timdownieuk@yahoo.co.youkay> wrote:
>
>> Tim
>>
>
>I use Zen for my 'phone and broadband, and I just searched for myself,
>and found me on the www.thephonebook.bt.com website, so they have access
>to other networks' data. For now.

Zen charge(d?) a small additional fee for listing in 'the phone book'.

On Tue, 13 Feb 2024 18:09:45 -0000, "Brian Gaff"
<brian1gaff@gmail.com> wrote:

>Does that mean they want you to in future use their several pounds a minute
>DQ lines then? Brian

No. It simply reflects the fact that almost nobody uses or wants
dedicated public directory services in any shape or form.
Individuals share numbers with each other as required, whereas
businesses list their phone numbers on their web site, reached
directly or via a search engine. They also may provide it on printed
correspondence. But many mass-market organisations do not accept phone
calls at all, or strongly discourage them.

On Wed, 14 Feb 2024 09:56:08 +0000
Ken <ken@birchanger.com> wrote:

> On Wed, 14 Feb 2024 00:26:30 +0000, Davey <davey@example.invalid>
> wrote:
>
> >On 13 Feb 2024 18:38:35 GMT
> >Tim+ <timdownieuk@yahoo.co.youkay> wrote:
> >
> >> Tim
> >>
> >
> >I use Zen for my 'phone and broadband, and I just searched for
> >myself, and found me on the www.thephonebook.bt.com website, so they
> >have access to other networks' data. For now.
>
> Zen charge(d?) a small additional fee for listing in 'the phone book'.

I don't recall anything being charged to me.

--
Davey.

Which is no good for older people. I think from just my point of view,
typing into a void on line means you have no idea if you have actually
registered at the other end. Whatwith chatbots that are just software, who
knows if a real person has reviewed your problem.
I think there needs to be a buck stops here person who can talk to those
people for whom faqs and help do not cover the problem. Being blind I get
this a lot when the internet breaks and you have to call them. They will not
do anything but ask about lights on therouter, when I know the innards of
the router and can tell them specific fault codes but cannot see the lights.
They are stumped and you really have to push them to refer you to a person
who they call technical, but I call normal and often once you get that
person they can either fix it or know exactly where the problem is on their
network and it gets fixed.

Far too much of this lowest common den and treating you like an idiot stuff
goes on.
Brian

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"Ken" <ken@birchanger.com> wrote in message
news:2j3psidof7jq0ijmu1trg7qaspbqe2ersv@4ax.com...
> On Tue, 13 Feb 2024 18:09:45 -0000, "Brian Gaff"
> <brian1gaff@gmail.com> wrote:
>
>>Does that mean they want you to in future use their several pounds a
>>minute
>>DQ lines then? Brian
>
> No. It simply reflects the fact that almost nobody uses or wants
> dedicated public directory services in any shape or form.
> Individuals share numbers with each other as required, whereas
> businesses list their phone numbers on their web site, reached
> directly or via a search engine. They also may provide it on printed
> correspondence. But many mass-market organisations do not accept phone
> calls at all, or strongly discourage them.

On Thu, 15 Feb 2024 11:11:34 -0000, "Brian Gaff"
<brian1gaff@gmail.com> wrote:

>Which is no good for older people. I think from just my point of view,
>typing into a void on line means you have no idea if you have actually
>registered at the other end. Whatwith chatbots that are just software, who
>knows if a real person has reviewed your problem.
> I think there needs to be a buck stops here person who can talk to those
>people for whom faqs and help do not cover the problem. Being blind I get
>this a lot when the internet breaks and you have to call them. They will not
>do anything but ask about lights on therouter, when I know the innards of
>the router and can tell them specific fault codes but cannot see the lights.
>They are stumped and you really have to push them to refer you to a person
>who they call technical, but I call normal and often once you get that
>person they can either fix it or know exactly where the problem is on their
>network and it gets fixed.
>
I agree with you, but the decline of the phone book is an effect of
the above, not the cause.

>Far too much of this lowest common den and treating you like an idiot stuff
>goes on.
> Brian

Yes chicken and egg. I think Online phone book to go, sounds like some kind
of service in itself. You know phoneboook-to-go.com or something.
Have your own phone book custome made by funky Pigeon. com?

Brian

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"Ken" <ken@birchanger.com> wrote in message
news:j4busihnjsiaaodrp5itbpu0lnfivgarpk@4ax.com...
> On Thu, 15 Feb 2024 11:11:34 -0000, "Brian Gaff"
> <brian1gaff@gmail.com> wrote:
>
>>Which is no good for older people. I think from just my point of view,
>>typing into a void on line means you have no idea if you have actually
>>registered at the other end. Whatwith chatbots that are just software, who
>>knows if a real person has reviewed your problem.
>> I think there needs to be a buck stops here person who can talk to those
>>people for whom faqs and help do not cover the problem. Being blind I get
>>this a lot when the internet breaks and you have to call them. They will
>>not
>>do anything but ask about lights on therouter, when I know the innards of
>>the router and can tell them specific fault codes but cannot see the
>>lights.
>>They are stumped and you really have to push them to refer you to a person
>>who they call technical, but I call normal and often once you get that
>>person they can either fix it or know exactly where the problem is on
>>their
>>network and it gets fixed.
>>
> I agree with you, but the decline of the phone book is an effect of
> the above, not the cause.
>
>>Far too much of this lowest common den and treating you like an idiot
>>stuff
>>goes on.
>> Brian