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Why are phone books getting thinner? | Why are phone books getting thinner? |
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In recent years phone books haven't made as much of a thud on doorsteps. In fact, they seem quite small. Are these once hefty books getting thinner? | In recent years phone books haven't made as much of a thud on doorsteps. In fact, they seem quite small. Are these once hefty books getting thinner? |
Phone books have long been used as more than just a tool for finding people. They've served as doorstops, booster seats and packaging filler. | Phone books have long been used as more than just a tool for finding people. They've served as doorstops, booster seats and packaging filler. |
Ripping the thick books in half used to be a classic trial for a strongman. | Ripping the thick books in half used to be a classic trial for a strongman. |
But, this year, more than 27 million people across the UK may notice that the books appear to be thinner. Why? | But, this year, more than 27 million people across the UK may notice that the books appear to be thinner. Why? |
Each phone book now covers smaller geographic areas, according to BT. | Each phone book now covers smaller geographic areas, according to BT. |
A single directory was once produced for London. Now, there are six directories for inner London and 20 for outer London. | A single directory was once produced for London. Now, there are six directories for inner London and 20 for outer London. |
Across the UK, BT prints 168 directories, while Yell, the company that produces the Yellow Pages, makes 104 different directories. | Across the UK, BT prints 168 directories, while Yell, the company that produces the Yellow Pages, makes 104 different directories. |
The dimensions of both the BT phone book and the Yellow Pages have shrunk. | The dimensions of both the BT phone book and the Yellow Pages have shrunk. |
While the height of the new BT directories remain the same, the width was reduced by 31mm (1.2in) to 172mm (6.8in) earlier this year. | While the height of the new BT directories remain the same, the width was reduced by 31mm (1.2in) to 172mm (6.8in) earlier this year. |
The Yellow Pages changed the height of their latest phone book by 5cm (1.97in) and the width by 4cm (1.57in), after research showed a change in size would increase overall usage by 12%. | The Yellow Pages changed the height of their latest phone book by 5cm (1.97in) and the width by 4cm (1.57in), after research showed a change in size would increase overall usage by 12%. |
Both books are now slim enough to fit through standard size household letterboxes, avoiding the once common sight of unwanted books mouldering on porches. | Both books are now slim enough to fit through standard size household letterboxes, avoiding the once common sight of unwanted books mouldering on porches. |
Could the shrinkage be because of a switch from landlines to mobile phones, which are not in the book? | Could the shrinkage be because of a switch from landlines to mobile phones, which are not in the book? |
Research conducted by telecom watchdog Ofcom suggested 14% of households in the UK had mobile phone access but were without a landline into their home in 2010, up 2% from 2009. | Research conducted by telecom watchdog Ofcom suggested 14% of households in the UK had mobile phone access but were without a landline into their home in 2010, up 2% from 2009. |
Since most people do not publish their mobile numbers and others elect not to share their landline number, could the phone book be facing an imminent demise? | Since most people do not publish their mobile numbers and others elect not to share their landline number, could the phone book be facing an imminent demise? |
Despite the drop in the proportion of people using landlines, the growing population means the number of listings in the phone book is stagnant rather than in sharp decline. | Despite the drop in the proportion of people using landlines, the growing population means the number of listings in the phone book is stagnant rather than in sharp decline. |
The content in the phone book has been rearranged, not lost, says a spokesman from BT. | The content in the phone book has been rearranged, not lost, says a spokesman from BT. |
The typeface in both the BT phone books and the Yellow Pages have been altered to fit more information on smaller pages. | The typeface in both the BT phone books and the Yellow Pages have been altered to fit more information on smaller pages. |
These changes come partly in response to criticism from environmental groups that producing and delivering large phone books each year is wasteful, BT says. | These changes come partly in response to criticism from environmental groups that producing and delivering large phone books each year is wasteful, BT says. |
BT's revamped directory - which is 15% smaller - is printed on recycled paper and will save about 2,000 tonnes of paper each year, BT says. | BT's revamped directory - which is 15% smaller - is printed on recycled paper and will save about 2,000 tonnes of paper each year, BT says. |
The new Yellow Pages - which is a mixture of paper either recycled or sourced from sustainably managed forests - will conserve about 5,000 tonnes of paper a year. | The new Yellow Pages - which is a mixture of paper either recycled or sourced from sustainably managed forests - will conserve about 5,000 tonnes of paper a year. |
Together, the saving is equivalent to slightly more than three times the total weight of the wheel and capsules of the London Eye. | Together, the saving is equivalent to slightly more than three times the total weight of the wheel and capsules of the London Eye. |
Still, with people able to opt out of both being in and receiving a phone book, many question whether or not they need one. | Still, with people able to opt out of both being in and receiving a phone book, many question whether or not they need one. |
Both BT and Yell insist their directories are still widely used. | Both BT and Yell insist their directories are still widely used. |
In a recent survey sponsored by BT, eight out of 10 households had an up-to-date copy of the phone book and 91% of people still used it on a regular basis. | In a recent survey sponsored by BT, eight out of 10 households had an up-to-date copy of the phone book and 91% of people still used it on a regular basis. |
The Yellow Pages are used 19 times a second, says a spokesman for Yell. | The Yellow Pages are used 19 times a second, says a spokesman for Yell. |