Wireless Directory

Wireless Directory Dilemma

Much has been written about a directory assistance service that will give out wireless telephone umbers. Already controversial, the proposed wireless directory has sparked concerns of many customers who value their privacy.

Verizon Wireless has been steadfast in its opposition to this directory, and we are not along says the national office.

Based on a recent national survey, sponsored by TRUSTe, a nonprofit online group, just 11 percent of mobile users said they would want their personal numbers published. Of the `068 people who were surveyed in October by TNS, 53 percent opposed the plan and 56 percent said they would ask to remain unlisted if it did in fact transpire.

Verizon Wireless supports the right of wireless users to keep their numbers out of a wireless directory; in fact, we see no need for such a directory to be developed. Already most land-based telephone companies will list wireless numbers in their white pages for a nominal fee. So, individuals and businesses need not worry about missing important calls.

In addition Verizon Wireless has vowed to withhold their 42.1 million customers' names from any such listing. We are committed to protecting our customers' privacy and helping them avoid charges for unwelcome calls. In fact we are currently changing our customer contract to proactively state that Verizon Wireless will not provide customers' phone numbers for listings directories.

This reporter agrees with Verizon, isn't too much being published already regarding our private lives. Are we no longer in control of what we want to be known or what we do not want. After all wireless phones were started for the purpose of emergencies. With more and more phones being used for personal use from emergencies to work, we should be able to still retain the right to chose who has and who has not got access to our private wireless phone numbers.

Do we really want to be found when we are out with our families?

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