IRISH households can
for the first time opt out of having the Eircom
phonebook delivered to their doors.
Every home in the country currently receives an
annual copy of the residential phone directory.
However, Eircom says it has listened to customer
feedback and has decided to give people the choice
of receiving one or not in the future. A leaflet
will be included in all new editions telling people
how they can opt out.
"About 1.5 million – currently all homes in Republic
of Ireland - receive a hard copy of the telephone
directory. Our most recent research suggests that
most homes do actively use the telephone directory
when they wish to look up a number,” said an Eircom
spokeswoman.
"However, from this year on, customers will have the
option to opt-out from receipt of a hard copy of the
telephone directory with the option to opt-in again
at any future date.” The Golden Pages, often
delivered with the residential book, is not
published by Eircom.
Advocates for older people say Eircom’s new opt out
system is the best outcome for people who have no
access to the internet.
“More and more companies are abandoning traditional
leaflets, booklets and paper guides and opting
instead to communicate only through their websites,"
said Age Action head of advocacy and communications,
Eamon Timmins.
"This is causing increasing hardship for older
people as firms are often unaware that more than 70
per cent of over-65s in Ireland are not online.
"The Eircom phonebook is an important source of
information for the majority of older people who do
not use computers or may not be online. Nothing
should be done to change the practice of providing a
phonebook to each customer unless the customer opts
out of this arrangement," added Mr Timmins. See
www.phonebookoptout.ie . |
