It used to be, in the US, anyway, that only “The” Phone Company was privy to the data it takes to print THE phonebook.
But forcing of competition in the 1980s led to both info and copper wiring having to be shared, sold, or rented to competitors.
Other companies jumped into producing their own directories for the ad revenue.
They make them small and convenient or add e-mail addresses, or useless coupon pages, in the hopes of making them popular enough to attract commercial listings.
I think soon those extra books will wither away, as the profits disappear — but ATT will probably still have to print one.
It used to be, in the US, anyway, that only “The” Phone Company was privy to the data it takes to print THE phonebook.
But forcing of competition in the 1980s led to both info and copper wiring having to be shared, sold, or rented to competitors.
Other companies jumped into producing their own directories for the ad revenue.
They make them small and convenient or add e-mail addresses, or useless coupon pages, in the hopes of making them popular enough to attract commercial listings.
I think soon those extra books will wither away, as the profits disappear — but ATT will probably still have to print one.