Year of chaos looms as 192 is scrapped

Phone users face up to 12 months of chaos before the confusion over new directory enquiries numbers calms down.

From this weekend, instead of dialling 192, callers face a list of 14 different number-finding services, all beginning with 118.

Industry regulator Oftel is behind the changes. A spokesman said today: "On the evidence of other European models it may take a year before we have only three or four main companies and everything has calmed down."

The National Consumer Council claimed families have been left in the dark about the new service because of the lack of a public information campaign.

Within each of the 14 competing firms, four different types of tariff may be used, prompting fears among consumer groups of soaring bills and hidden charges. However, Oftel believes increased competition will bring price falls.

The 192 service charged 40p a call. Eight of the new numbers cost the same or more for a one-minute call, and many bill by the second.