Will the switch lead to confusion?

BT cited a poll showing that 70% of its subscribers still believe they should dial 192 for directory enquiries, less than two weeks before the number is replaced by 12 new six-digit codes on 24 August.

The BT survey suggests that a high-profile advertising campaign aimed at alerting consumers to the changes has had little effect.

"We expect most people to switch at the last possible moment, and this is bound to lead to confusion and irritation," said Paul Elliott, chief executive of BT Directories.

Ready for change

But telecoms watchdog Oftel, which masterminded the changeover, defended its strategy.

It said its own research showed that 80% of consumers were aware of the changes, and 30% were already using the new numbers.

"People are keen to make the change," said Oftel deputy director general Peter Waller.

After 24 August, callers who dial 192 will hear a recorded message giving them information about the new numbers.

The new numbers, all beginning with 118, give consumers access to directory services run by BT's competitors.

The number change forms the final part of a strategy aimed at ending BT's monopoly over the directory enquiries market, worth an estimated �280m a year.

Cost saving

Oftel says that some of the new services charge just half the price of existing directory enquiry lines, leading to big savings for consumers.

"Just as consumers have taken advantage of choice and competition in other areas of the telecoms market, I am confident that they will do so with new directory enquiries services," Mr Waller said.

192, used by BT when it was the only provider of directory services, is firmly established as UK's the best-known enquires number.

Rival telecoms companies first began offering directory enquiry services nine months ago.

Since then, callers who dial 192 have been put through automatically to the directory service offered by their network operator, rather than BT's enquiries line.

But from 24 August, consumers will be free to use any of the new services, and will have to choose which one best suits their needs and budget.