Ofcom and ICSTIS's latest report on directory enquiry services, published last week, finds 118 499 as one of the leading performers.
The new report is good news not just for 118 499, but for the sector as a whole. Generally accuracy rates have improved to an average of 87%. 118 499
out-performs many of its competitors with a 91% accuracy rate.
One area where 118 499 outstrips the competition is through the speed of its service. Calls on average to 118 499 take only 33.9 seconds.
The following table shows 118 499’s performance against the 3 best known and mostly widely used services.
| Number |
Name |
Time taken* |
Cost |
Accuracy |
| 118 499 |
Share Charity |
33.9s |
42p |
91% |
| 11 88 88 |
Conduit |
41.4s |
45p |
80% |
| 118 118 |
The Number |
42.6s |
55p |
90% |
| 118 500 |
BT |
44.2s |
51p |
93% |
* average time from end of dialling number and being answered, to obtaining information
118 499 is a service that was founded to support charities. Every call to 118 499 generates a 5p donation which is shared equally between the British Red Cross and Barnardo's. So far the 118 499 had raised over £34,000.
Speaking about the new findings, Steve Warner, from Share Charity said: "We are proud that our service combines the two most important factors of speed and accuracy. 118 499 has shown it has the ability to compete with the multinationals, without investing tens of millions of pounds on high profile TV campaigns." | 
