Printed telephone directory has few takers in City

For, the directory has quietly disappeared from the public psyche, replaced instead by the ubiquitous mobile phone and the built-in directory.

It seems like ages since the BSNL last printed its directory. Gathering dust in most houses and offices are the 2006-07 directories. Although convinced that there is hardly any demand for the print edition, BSNL is nevertheless getting ready to release the 2009 directory soon.

“It is a matter of fact that most of the people today use the website for inquiry, there is hardly any demand for the print edition,” says Vishwanath Acharya, Deputy General Manager, HR & Admin, BSNL. Besides printing the same number of copies like the last time, it will also be bringing out a CD with 3 lakh print copies.

For years, the print edition of the directory was the only resource available to make inquiries in the city. It was mainly used to find a person, business listings, companies and government offices.

The arrival of the internet made easier options online, and with the advent of mobile phones with huge memories, the popularity of the directory plunged even further. It is now felt that print editions are sheer waste of paper while some use the directory to make enquiries only related to civic amenities.

‘Landline an old concept’

“We hardly use landline these days and it is more of an old concept. It’s a serious waste of paper for the fact that it is given for free. Most of us use internet to make any inquiry, there are so many websites and search engines,” explains Chetan Shivarudraiah, a city-based businessman.

Risi Vinayak Desai, a student says that CD’s are portable and can be accessed anytime but phone books are heavy.  “I use the phone directory only for making inquiries related to water and electricity. But if everyone uses CD’s instead of phone book then indirectly we can save trees,” he adds.

But Anita Gracias, a volunteer with SAHAI helpline, is among those who still use the print copy of the directory. “I still use the phone directory but I also make use of the BSNL online directory facility. I also find services of Just Dial good and convenient.”

Even Vindya K M has been using Just Dial these days and says that it’s been ages since they used the phone directory. “We maintain our own phone book as a telephone directory and in case we need to contact anyone for water or electricity, services are available in the locality itself.”