Verizon Wireless CEO Rejects Cell Directory

Verizon Wireless Chief Executive Dennis Strigl told U.S. lawmakers that a planned mobile-phone directory was a “terrible idea” and that he wouldn’t participate because it would jeopardize the privacy of his 40 million customers.

“There is no groundswell of customer demand for a directory that would justify putting privacy in jeopardy,” Strigl said at a hearing of the Senate Commerce Committee, which today may vote on a bill to govern how such a registry would operate.

Strigl’s stance puts Verizon Wireless at odds with Cingular Wireless and the next five largest carriers, which plan to let their combined 101 million customers opt into the industry’s first public listing of mobile-phone numbers.