Posted on: Friday, July 2, 2004

Listing of cell numbers opposed

By Jon Van
Chicago Tribune

CHICAGO — For consumers, the idea of a national directory for cell-phone numbers has about as much appeal as getting telemarketing calls during dinner.

That's why a recent proposal by a wireless trade group to create such a list has sparked howls from Main Street to Capitol Hill. A big reason for the ruckus goes beyond mobile phones, uncovering a deeper trend in modern American life: We're weary of being in touch 24/7.

"As life becomes more technologically complex, people reflexively pull back," said Bernard Beck, a sociologist at Northwestern University. "We don't want to give up any personal information because it seems every day someone figures out a new way to victimize us."

The proposal for a wireless number directory surfaced in May from the Cellular Telecommunications & Internet Association. Shortly after, legislation was introduced in Congress and some states that were seeking to regulate the directory. For one thing, lawmakers wanted to assure that no number would be listed without permission and that carriers could not charge for unlisting a number, as wired phone companies do.

But while some wireless industry officials say a directory will be launched by early next year, others — including some carriers — doubt it will happen at all.

"I have yet to talk to any cell-phone customer who says this is something he wants to do," said John Rooney, president of Chicago-based U.S. Cellular. "Most people guard their cell-phone numbers with vigor. Every time the subject of a directory comes up, we get a lot of calls from customers against it."

U.S. Cellular has vowed to withhold customers' numbers from any directory. And the nation's largest cell-phone service provider, Verizon Wireless, will not participate to protect customer privacy.

Other carriers, however, will begin working out details soon. As a result, a directory service could start next year.

Erin McGee, a spokeswoman for the wireless trade group, said the industry doesn't plan to list numbers without permission or to publish anything like a traditional phone book for wireless numbers.

Instead, the numbers would be available only by dialing 411. Callers could use any directory assistance service to access listed wireless numbers.