GTE Starts Nationwide Directory Assistance

GTE Corp. this week began a new nationwide directory assistance service that allows California customers to request phone numbers for anywhere in the country by dialing 411. The national service costs 95 cents per call. Residents seeking local directory assistance will continue to receive five free calls per month and pay 35 cents for each additional call. The new service will not be available to GTE customers in Parkfield and San Miguel. Typically, phone customers use 411 for local information, but to reach directory assistance in another region, they must dial an area code plus 555-1212 or another special code. However, the proliferation of area codes has made it hard for customers to know in advance which area code to dial for out-of-region assistance. The move by GTE follows the lead of several long-distance carriers, which have begun offering all-in-one directory assistance at prices ranging from 95 cents to $1.10. Pacific Bell is also seeking permission to offer national directory assistance in the same price range. That proposal is separate from PacBell’s request to reduce the number of free local directory assistance calls and increase the cost of extra requests.