Oftel: Customers ring the changes on directory enquiries

NEWS The telecom regulator will consult consumers in a bid to discover if opening the market, as has happened in other European countries, will lead to a greater number of alternative services for the consumer. The range of options available to Oftel, including scrapping the 192 number or adding new prefixes alongside the existing one, look set to be revealed by a MORI conducted survey. Jo Hamilton, a spokeswoman for Oftel, said: "I can't say it would mean a cheaper service, but the net effect of competition usually drives costs down"