cmylod@oracle.nl (Colum Mylod) (10/22/90)
To add to the list of Directory Enquiries: is it free or not: Ireland is free. National & local inquiries 190, international is 114. Both are free. Both are jammed up, and it takes much patience to get an answer. Calls are redirected from region to region if the local region is busy, not that this seems to improve matters. I've often had to call the international enquiry on 114 with problems, and NEVER got an answer. The phone book lists a Dublin number if 114 doesn't work. Netherlands: National is 008 and costs 15 (Dutch) cents per call, maximum of two numbers given out at a go. If it is busy you get an automatic message "Ten people waiting before you". This service goes to bed at 20.00, with a recording telling you to call another number. I tried one night at 01.00 and got just ringing tone. International is 0018 and free and stays up all night. The Dutch version of MINITEL has on-line enquiries: in NL on 06-7400 for 50ct/min, int. +31 6 7400 is probably blocked. Spain: Local costs because they believe you could look it up yourself. National (i.e. not your own area) is free. I believe international is also free. France: Both are free from private phones. Local is 10, international was 19 33 <country-code>, i.e. for Germany dial 19 33 49 (19 is Int. access code, 33 is France so they use 33 in France to access the operator.) I'm not sure if this is still in use. In 1986 labels went up on phone cells claiming that Enquiries were "gratis" from this cell. From personal experience the cell still swallowed money. Of course with MINITEL enquiries Telecom France may see verbal enquiries as a bad lot. Germany: I think it is free. Local enquiries 1188, national 01188, international 001188 -- nice pattern, so long as N. America doesn't create an area code 188! I can see all places charging eventually. It is abused by so many people not keeping better records, and is very busy in all countries I've been in. Colum Mylod cmylod@oracle.nl The Netherlands Above is IMHO