From 1 April 2014, fixed-line operators who wish to publish a residential listing will have to seek their subscribers’ consent to be included in the directory when the latter sign up for services. However, the publication of the residential listing itself will no longer be a regulatory requirement.

These were some of the changes to Directory Services which were announced by the Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore (IDA) on 17 December.

Regulated by IDA, Directory Services include the published residential listing and business listing, as well as a directory enquiry service which allows subscribers to dial “100” to request for a residential or business fixed-line telephone number. In October 2012, a public consultation was conducted to discuss issues such as the declining usage of directories and the directory enquiry services, and growing concerns over personal data protection.

IDA’s objective in reviewing the regulatory requirements for Directory Services was to determine its continued relevance in view of technology, market and lifestyle changes over the decades since these requirements were first introduced.

Statistics showed that the collection of the published directories had fallen by more than 80 per cent over the last five years for both residential and business directories. In 2011, only 9 per cent of the total subscriber base, or 165,000 subscribers, collected the printed and CD-ROM versions of the directories.

With the publication of the residential listing no longer mandatory, operators will be required to offer three free directory enquiries per month to each fixed-line subscriber. This is in recognition of the fact that a small number of consumers may still need to check for residential numbers occasionally.

The change will allow each fixed-line subscriber to request for three public fixed-line telephone numbers every month at no charge. Based on IDA’s household survey results on the usage of the printed directories and directory enquiry services, three free directory enquiries per month is sufficient for the average directory user.

There may also be fixed-line operators who choose to continue providing the residential listing on a voluntary or commercial basis. From 1 April 2014, they will have to seek their subscribers’ consent to be included in the listing when the latter sign up for any fixed-line telephone services.

Operators will also have to provide a one-time free-of-charge Number Unlisting Service for subscribers who do not want their information to be made available under the Published Directories and the “Service 100”. The Number Unlisting Service requirement will apply to any Directory Service offered by the fixed-line operator, regardless of whether the operator chooses to do this on a voluntary or commercial basis, or to meet IDA’s regulatory requirement.

These changes bring Directory Services in line with the Personal Data Protection Act, which was enacted on 2 January 2013 to protect individuals’ personal data against misuse while promoting proper management of personal data in organisations.