Question 33/I - Computerized information service for telephone
subscriber numbers in foreign countries (Directory
Assistance), reserved for operators
(continuation of Question 2/II examined during the
1977-1980, 1981-1984 and 1985-1988 study periods)

The study of the organization and operation at the international level
of
an information service using interconnected computers should be
pursued under this Question. The trials in progress should continue and
an effort should be made to extend them to other administrations and
RPOAs operating or planning to operate a computerized telephone
information service during the 1989-1992 study period.

Accordingly, administrations and RPOAs should be consulted as to their
intentions of, and prospects for, collaborating in the trials now under
way since the practical trials have clearly demonstrated that the
application of Recommendation E.115 can yield promising results as
regards the operational quality of the international information
service,
from the point of view of both improving the work of operators and
drastically reducing answer times. This would mean a considerable
increase in the Quality of Service provided to subscribers.

It is, however, indispensable to have the trials carried out by a larger
number of countries since the results of the practical trials are
considered indispensable for the purpose of improving the text of
Recommendation E.115 as applied in real conditions (see Annex 2
to the Question for schedule of practical tests).

Note - The problem of the exact native spelling of the locality (see
Recommendation E.115) shall be one of the items for further studies on
the Question.

The results of such practical tests relating to the technical, data
processing, economic and social aspects of the service should be
submitted as contributions for the study of Question 33/I.

Annex to the Question

During study period 1985-1988, administrations were asked to supply
information on their present or future telephone information services.
These data are reproduced in the table (Annex 1) to the present
Question.