How to Get Listed in a Cell Phone Directory

Can you get listed in a cell phone directory and still protect your privacy?

As wireless carrier services in the US may soon be providing a cell phone directory, the issue of privacy protection has become a concern for customers. Industry spokespeople have argued that millions of wireless telephone users not only use their cell phones in addition to their landlines, but a growing number have dispensed with their landlines altogether. These consumers have no "cell phone book" of their own and no way to easily find a cell phone number.

As the number of consumers who have opted out of the fixed landline network continues to grow, so does the need for a cell phone number directory. But, should these consumers be concerned about their privacy?

Many people view their cell phones as private. They only give their number to friends and family and do not expect to be called by a stranger or telemarketer out of the blue, as often happens on landlines. For many years home phone numbers have been listed and sold to telemarketers, so the fear that this may happen if your number is listed in a cell phone book is understandable.

However, industry spokespeople have publicly stated that safeguards will be put in place to protect the privacy of consumers.

These proposed safeguards include:

• an opt-in system so that only those people who want to be listed in a cell phone directory will be included in the listings
• clear permission from all existing cell phone customers before including their phone number and other details in the directory
• the option to opt out of any listings

Some privacy advocates argue that users wouldn't need a separate cell phone directory because they can already ask local carriers to list their phone number. So for those people who no longer use a landline and want to be listed in a directory, a way to locate cell phone numbers already exists. However, there are limitations in this approach. How would you go about finding cell phone numbers if you don't know which carrier is providing the service?

Privacy issues which involve the carriers in the US have been addressed by the Wireless 411 Privacy Act which was introduced in November 2007. This bill was designed to reduce privacy concerns and also mandates that carriers may not charge a fee for those cell phone users who wish to opt of being listed in a directory.

But what if you want to list your cell phone number in a public directory which makes it easy for people to find your number while maintaining complete protection of your privacy?

FastAs is a new, unique service which is providing a way to opt-in to a public cell phone directory but where you have complete control over your listing details, which may not be the case with directories produced by the wireless carriers. This allows for complete privacy protection as well as protection from annoyances such as cell phone spam.

FastAs - a revolutionary solution to getting in contact. Use our worldwide phone book, email address directory, or people search to find the contact you are looking for. If you are an individual, a business or an advertiser and you want to be contacted, pre-register with us to help people find you faster. With FastAs you will be able to take full control of your contact information and tell the world exactly how you want to contacted – with complete protection of your privacy.