Directory Enquiry Services
Directory Enquiry Services
Did you know that you have a choice of directory enquiry services?
This will give you an explanation of the main features and pricing information of each directory enquiry service.
this information will
-
explain how to get the most out of phone directory
enquiry services;
-
outline how the service is priced; and
- tell you how to find out what other services are available.
What is the charge for using a directory enquiry service?
Charges for Directory Enquiry services are not subject to regulation and are determined by a combination of the Directory Enquiry Service Provider and the telephone network used to access the service. If you are using a fixed line telephone or pay monthly mobile, charges are collected through your telephone account and will show on your phone bill. For prepaid mobile customers, charges will be deducted from your credit. For some prepaid price plans you can view account transactions through your operator's website.
You can call all of the directory enquiry services from any phone, whether it’s a fixed line, mobile or payphone. The tables below provides price information from an eircom landline. Call charges may vary depending on which telephone company provides your phone service and you should contact your telephone company for price information. In particular call charges from mobile phones differ depending upon your network, price plan, peak/off-peak times and the directory enquiry service used. Charges can be as high as €1.30 or €2.40 per minute for calls to national or international directory enquiries.
| Conduit | Eircom | Numbers Direct | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Number to Call | 11850 | 11811 | 11890 |
| Minimum Charge | 99.00 cent | 89.59 cent (call setup fee) | €1.13 |
| Price from most landlines | 99.00 cent setup plus 40 cent per minute thereafter charged on a per second basis | 24 cent per minute thereafter charged on a per second basis | €1.13 per minute plus 22.00 cent per minute from then on, charged per second |
| Number of listings Per call | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Charges upon connection | 40.00 cent per minute (0.6667 cent per second) |
24 cent per minute (0.40 cent per second) | 22.00 cent per minute (0.36 cent per second) |
| Cost of a 30 second call (Listing only) | €1.19 | €1.01 | €1.13 |
| Cost of a 1 minute call (Listing only) | €1.39 | €1.13 | €1.13 |
| Cost of a 3 minute call (incl. 2 minutes call completion) | €2.19 | €1.61 | €1.57 |
| Cost of a 5 minute call (incl. 4 minutes call completion) | €2.99 | €2.09 | €2.01 |
| Conduit | Eircom | |
|---|---|---|
| Number to call | 11860 | 11818 |
| Minimum Charge | €1.74 | 158.49c (first 30 seconds) |
| Price from most landlines | €1.74 set up plus 61 cent per minute charged on a per second basis (1.0166 cent per second) | 66 cent per minute charged on a per second basis |
| Number of listings Per call | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Charges upon connection | 61.00 cent per minute charged on a per second basis (1.0166 cent per second) | 66 cent per minute (1.10 cent per second) |
| Cost of a 30 second call (Listing only) |
€2.04 | €1.58 |
| Cost of a 1 minute call (Listing only) |
€2.35 | €1.91 |
|
Cost of a 3 minute call (incl. 2 minutes call completion) *11811 call completion is to UK only |
€3.57 | €3.23* |
|
Cost of a 5 minute call (incl. 4 minutes call completion) *11811 call completion is to UK only |
€4.79 | €4.55* |
Do all directory enquiry service providers charge the same rates?
No, the rates vary depending on the network you use and the service you call. Charges are calculated on the basis of a fixed set up charge or a minimum charge plus a per second charge therafter. The minimum charge may cover the first 30 seconds or the first 1 minute of your call, depending on your choice of directory enquiry service.
What about ‘call completion’ services?
For all national but only for a limited range of international numbers, some directory enquiry services will offer to connect you to the number you have sought. While this may be a convenient service, you should be aware that this will cost you considerably more than if you call the number yourself. The table above shows the cost of using ‘call completion’ services. You should also be aware that if you agree to ‘call completion’ you may not be given the number you requested . Should your connected call be unanswered, you will not have the phone number to call again directly.
What if the directory enquiry service provider doesn’t have the number?
If you have provided the correct information and a directory enquiry service provider cannot find the number you want, this may mean that the person (or business) is ‘ex-directory’ and does not wish their phone number to be made available.
Please note you will be charged for your call to the directory service provider, even though the number sought was not provided.
What other services do directory enquiry service providers offer?
Directory enquiry service providers offer the following other services.
- Business finder – they can find a type of business for you in a particular area even if you don't have a name. For example you may want to find a plumber in Galway.
- Web-based search – some directory enquiry service providers have a searchable directory on their website that you can use to get telephone numbers free of charge.
- Information by Text – after you have called the service for a phone number, they will text the number to your mobile.
The table below shows which directory enquiry service providers offer which services.
| Service / Operator | Conduit | Eircom | Numbers Direct |
|---|---|---|---|
| Text (SMS - short message service) sent to mobile phone |
Yes You can send a request by text message to 11850 and receive a response by text message from 11850. 11850 do not charge you for sending a text message request however your mobile operator may charge you a standard text message rate (as per your price plan).Once you receive a text message response from 11850 you will be charged €1.50c for this service. You will not be charged if your requested number is not found or if 11850 take longer than 12 minutes to respond. In these instances, you will receive a free text notifying you that you were not charged
|
Yes | Yes |
| Residential and business searches | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Web search | Yes | Yes | No |
| Customer service number | 1800 923 433 | 1901 and then select "Agent" | 01 6869100 |
| Website | www.11850.ie | www.eircom.ie/11811 | www.11890.ie |
How do I complain to the directory enquiry service provider?
If you want to complain about the service you received while using a directory enquiry service provider, do not call their 118XX number because you will be charged at their directory enquiries rates. You should call their customer service numbers as listed above.
About ComReg
We are responsible for regulating the electronic communications
(telecommunications, radio communications and broadcasting transmission) and
postal sectors.
How can I contact ComReg?
You can contact us:
By post: ComReg Consumer Team
Irish Life Centre
Block DEF
Lower Abbey Street
Dublin 1
By phone (LoCall): *1890 229 668 /01 804 9668. (9:am to 5:30pm)
*(Calls to 1890 numbers from landlines are charged at a local call rate, charges from mobile phones may vary depending on your operator)
By fax: 01 804 9717
By email: consumerline@comreg.ie
Our websites are: www.comreg.ie | www.askcomreg.ie | www.callcosts.ie
Contacting other Consumer Organisations
Click here for information regarding contacting other organisations
Legal disclaimer
We prepared this document from a variety of sources. While we took reasonable care to prepare it, we do not accept any responsibility for any loss or damage anyone may suffer by using any of this information.
