We had a huge problem here when the European standard 112 number was introduced alongside the traditional 999 code used here in Ireland for many years (pretty much since the start of automatic dialling)
121 was used by the mobile networks as a voicemail access code. The emergency service call centres were getting loads of people who'd accidently dialled 1121.. they ended up having to move 121 to 171.
abusing 999 / 112 is pretty serious though. 1) the phone company can cut you off permanently or terminate your mobile phone account and 2) if it's serious you can face charges i.e. pretty heafty fines, community service or jail time.
However, people are invited to call 11811 (eircom) or 11850 (conduit) (directory enquiries but now "information") they'll do anything. Directory enquiries (with or without call completion and send you the number by SMS), golden pages (yellow pages), weather forecasts, lotto numbers, traffic updates, tell you what's on in your nearest cinema and how to get there.. etc. etc.
The DQ (directory enquiries) market was liberalised here in 1999 making it fully compeditive. We've ended up with 2 main suppliers who are cut-throat compeditive you'll never be holding for more than about 10 seconds and they bend over backwards to extract money from you especially by offering you call completion.. automated system asks you to say "yes or no"
999 / 112 would take a call for the ESB (PoCo) if there was a serious problem like a dangerous live power line on the road or something but normally it's just Police/Ambulance/Fire/Coast Guard/Mountain Rescue.
Otherwise you call 1-800 ESB ESB they're pretty efficient during a power outage (eg. a storm). A continiously updated announcement tells you what's going on and you can follow menu prompts to find details about your area (what's happened, how long it will take to be restored etc). So you only need a live operator if it's something they're not aware of.
Also during a big storm and in its aftermath they'll generally stop taking any billing/account enquiries and only answer emergency calls.
[This message has been edited by djk (edited 09-28-2003).]
