Mobile directory 118 800 still offline

118 800 logo

It only launched a few weeks ago, but mobile phone directory 118 800 has been forced to close while it tweaks its offering and deals with a deluge of ex-directory requests from worried users.

The service launched amid much controversy last month, with many concerned about whose hands their contact details would fall into.

Clearly the backlash has not fallen on deaf ears as the 118 800 website is currently offline, simply displaying a message detailing that the service has been suspended while it makes improvements.

"The 118 800 service for mobile phone connections is currently unavailable - from this website and by phone - whilst we undertake major developments to our 'Beta Service' to improve the experience for our customers. We'll be back as soon as possible with the new improved service," said the holding page.

It added: "All ex-directory requests made by people in our directory to date are being processed. There will be no need to resend these requests. And we will take further ex-directory requests when the service resumes. We will not be taking ex-directory requests by phone or text whilst the service is not operational."

This is not the first time the new service has been offline. The day after launch, it suffered a technical glitch that prevented anyone from getting the contacts they wanted. See IT PRO's sister title PC Pro's report on the early day problems here.

118 800 had not responded to our request for comment at the time of publication.

Maggie Holland

Maggie has been a journalist since 1999, starting her career as an editorial assistant on then-weekly magazine Computing, before working her way up to senior reporter level. In 2006, just weeks before ITPro was launched, Maggie joined Dennis Publishing as a reporter. Having worked her way up to editor of ITPro, she was appointed group editor of CloudPro and ITPro in April 2012. She became the editorial director and took responsibility for ChannelPro, in 2016.

Her areas of particular interest, aside from cloud, include management and C-level issues, the business value of technology, green and environmental issues and careers to name but a few.