Congress Debates 411 Cellular Directory Legislation

Congress may require cellular companies to ask permission before adding their customers' numbers to wireless phone directories. Major wireless carriers are working on the cell phone directory, saying many consumers want it and their privacy will be protected. But lawmakers want it on the books that consumers have a choice, whether their cell number should be listed in directory assistance. A proposal being considered under a bill by Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-Calif., would allow customers to keep their numbers off the directory at no extra charge.

The directory is essential particularly to small-business owners who rely on their cell phones more than on their home phones as a means for people to contact them. But backers of the bill contend the legislation is necessary to ensure that cell phone users' numbers remain private after the directory is created.

The wireless industry insists that federal regulation is needless and potentially harmful. They say that the directory will not be published in print or the Internet. Instead, wireless carriers would require customers to dial a directory service to get a phone number.

Slowly, however, legislation is moving forward, while a national wireless directory could be ready at the beginning of 2005.