Searching for a friend'smobile phone number? Nowhere to search? Well soon that could be a thing of the past. Mobile Phone numbers in the UK are managed by their individual networks which means that there is no central directory of phone numbers for mobile phone users. This looks like it might be about to change with the launch of a new online mobile phone directory for the UK.

In June a new service 118800 will enable people to search for mobile phone numbers and place a call through their service.  The service goes live in June 2009.

We do not yet know how comprehensive the service will be and whether consumers and privacy groups will be happy with the service. Many mobile phone users see their mobile as a personal device which is invisible to marketing companies. Many fear that a service like this will enable those pesky marketing companies to start hassling us now on our mobiles with their offer of free windows and kitchens.... "You have won a prize!" You get the gist.

The service will not be free and will require a payment for receiving a text for the number. We will see once it goes live.