Finding A Telephone Number

[Kazal]

My sister emigrated to Australia 6 years ago and she has asked me to find a phone number of an ex-neighbour from way back. She did have their e-mail address but lost it when buying a new pc. She suggested directory enquiries.
They do not appear in the BT phone book. My question is, if someone has changed their phone provider (like Virgin or talk talk), they keep the same number but would not appear in the BT directory because they have moved away from them, where would I find their number (always assuming they are not ex-directory)

[Jackdaw33]

Do you not have their postal address?

[Kazal]

Yes I do and so does my sister

[Jackdaw33]

Then either of you can write to them requesting the information.

[Kazal]

Had thought of that but as I don't know them and we are unsure if they still live there it would be a shot in the dark for my sister to write from Oz

[Buenchico]

All telephone companies submit their data to a common database, called 'OSIS', which BT is licensed to publish. So the BT Phone Book contains phone numbers from all service providers.

At one time only a very small percentage of residential phone users chose to go ex-directory but now (due to the rise in cold-calling) the majority do so. In 2011 58% of the UK's residential numbers were ex-directory but it's probably now closer to two-thirds.

So you'll need to look for another way of contacting the ex-neighbour (such as writing to them or trying to contact someone else who might know their phone number).

[Tuvok]

Try this website

http://www.britishphonebook.com/

[Jackdaw33]

If I were you I would write to them on your sister's behalf, explaining the situation and giving your sister's contact details. I would also write on the back of the envelope, "If undelivered please return to (your address)".

By the way, I know of plenty of people who are with other providers but are listed in the BT directory.

[mikey4444]

Kazal...I am a bit puzzled here. Why doesn't your sister just write her neighbour a letter and see what happens ? She may have changed her telephone number, and/or its a fair guess that she is ex-directory now, but as long as she still lives in the same house, she will get this letter.

Tell your sister to include an email address in her letter, as its so much easier to email these days, than it is to post a letter.

[naomi24]

^From Kazal yesterday. //Had thought of that but as I don't know them and we are unsure if they still live there //

[whiskeryron]

I am also puzzled. Many people these days have given up using a line based telephone & rely on a mobile or cell phone. Is it possible to find a list of mobile numbers ?

[mikey4444]

I still can't what is wrong with a simple letter ?