The Final Printed Phonebook & How to Stay Compliant

As the final edition of The BT Phone Book is delivered, marking the end of an era, the landscape of how we access contact information is set to change. For over a century, the printed phone book has been a staple in British homes, connecting millions to essential services, businesses, and each other. With its closure on 31st March 2024, many will need to adapt to new methods for finding contact details. This article explores the history of The BT Phone Book, the alternatives available moving forward, and how this shift reflects broader changes in our increasingly digital world.

History of the Phone Book

The history of the British phone book, spanning over a century, marks an era that is now concluding with the digitization of these records. The first phone book was published in 1880, listing 248 London subscribers without phone numbers, as callers were connected by operators. By 1899, a nationwide phone book covered 81,000 entries in a 1,350-page volume. Over time, phone books expanded significantly, with 145 editions and 47 million copies distributed at their peak. In 2007, Ancestry.co.uk digitized 1,780 British phone books, encompassing over 280 million names, numbers, and addresses from 1880 to 1984. These records include famous figures such as prime ministers, writers, and composers. This project provides valuable insights into Victorian and 20th-century social history, allowing users, for a fee, to trace the residences and contact details of historical figures and ordinary citizens alike.

Timeline

1879: The Telephone Company opens the UK’s first telephone exchange on Coleman Street in the City of London, serving just seven subscribers.

1896: The first nationwide phone book is published, featuring 81,000 entries in a single 1,350-page volume.

1966: The All-Figure Numbering (AFN) system replaces the previous letter and number combinations.

1970: Phone books are now compiled by computer in Leeds, using the world’s first fully integrated computer printing process.

1995: April 16 is designated as ‘Phoneday’, adding a ‘1’ after the initial ‘0’ in every geographic number.

2005: The phone book goes online for the first time.

2010: The compact BT Phone Book is introduced.

2024: Final printed edition of the Phone Book after almost 150 years.

The Future of the Phone Book

With the final edition of The BT Phone Book now distributed, the longstanding tradition of receiving this printed directory at your doorstep will come to an end on 31st March 2024. As this chapter closes, there are several ways to continue accessing directory information:

Accessing A-Z Listings:

Business and Residential A-Z listings for your region can still be accessed on demand. You have the option to either download a free copy or order a printed version through the Phone Book Finder. If you opt for a printed copy, expect delivery within 5 working days.

Using Directory Enquiries Services:

For those who need quick access to phone numbers, the UK Directory Enquiries Service is available at 118 500. This service can find any business or residential number, send it to your mobile via text, and even connect you directly to the number. Be aware that there are charges associated with this service, including a per-minute fee and an access charge from your phone provider.

For international numbers, the 118 505 service is available, offering a similar service at a different rate.

Support for People with Additional Needs:

Individuals with visual impairments or other conditions that make it difficult to find phone numbers can register for a free Directory Enquiries service by calling 195. Registration is straightforward and support is available from BT to help guide you through the process.

As the era of the printed phone book draws to a close, these alternatives ensure that directory information remains accessible in the digital age.

Regulatory Requirements for Directory Information

Under the Ofcom General Conditions of Entitlement, regulated providers are required to supply directory information to their subscribers upon request. This means that providers, including BT, must offer directories that include information on all subscribers assigned telephone numbers, except for those who have opted out of being listed.

In response to this requirement, BT has launched a service where users can either purchase a printed directory or download regional phone books in PDF format at no cost. This ensures that directory information remains accessible despite the discontinuation of the printed Phone Book. For further details, BT provides a dedicated help page and direct links to the phone book downloads.

This initiative aligns with regulatory obligations while adapting to the digital shift, ensuring that users can still obtain essential directory information in a format that suits their needs.