November 22, 2006	Wednesday	Shawwal 29, 1427

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RAWALPINDI, Nov 21: Over 300,000 PTCL subscribers using land lines in Rawalpindi District and the federal capital have been without a telephone directory for the last five years as the company has failed to produce any phonebook since 2001.

Pakistan Telecommunications Company (PTCL) Spokesman Ali Qadir Gillani, when contacted, admitted that the company had failed to publish any phonebook during the last five years, but claimed that a new phonebook was now in final stages of compilation, and would be ready for distribution in next two to three months.

Asked which factors caused delay in printing the phonebook, Mr. Gillani said it was difficult for the company to finalise the phonebook in view of ever increasing number of subscribers.

Phonebook is an essential tool for subscribers whether it is home, office or business. Its availability can not only reduce load on 17 inquiry facility, but also help improve its services. But PTCL officials have completely ignored this aspect. Whether it is a customer service centre, public or private telephone booths, people face great difficulties in finding their desired contact numbers in the absence of phonebook.

The PTCL has provided an online telephone directory at its website to help search phone numbers, but this facility is also not functional much to the disappointment of subscribers.

The Centralised Digital Assistance Service introduced nearly a year ago has failed to come upto the expectations of subscribers as a caller has to wait for long to get the desired number from 17. The PTCL tests the patience of subscribers by playing the message: “Thank you for calling PTCL directory assistance. Operators are assisting some other subscribers, please wait.” Most of the time, a caller has to wait for minutes to get hold of the operator. After a couple of minutes, the call automatically drops. An in charge of 17 claimed that services were being improved and subscribers would see positive change in coming months.

A telephone directory usually provides instructions about how to use the telephone services in the local area, lists important numbers for emergency services, utilities, hospitals, doctors, and organisations that can provide support in times of personal crisis. It may also have civil defence or emergency management information. There may be transit maps, postal code guides as well as advertisements.