In response to a letter from a reader about mobile phone charges, Family Money can confirm that both mobile phone companies have been charging for the use of their directory enquiry service for the past few months.

Some customers seem unaware that since June 1st, Eircell has been charging

40p per call on its directory enquiry service. Previously this service was free.

Esat Digifone charges 42.2p per call for its service. Callers using either service are entitled to make three enquiries as part of the one call.

Esat Digifone has been charging since it launched in March of this year. Both companies say they have notified customers about the charges.

According to Eircell, customers were informed by letter at the end of April about the introduction of the charge. A spokesman for Esat Digifone said the reason behind its 42p charge is that it has contracted out its directory service to an outside company.

The service runs at a loss for Esat Digifone, according to the spokesman.

Some consumers have said that Eircell only introduced its directory service charge when Esat Digifone decided it would charge.

However, Eircell says it always intended to operate a charge, but was waiting for its call centre in Cork to become fully operational first.

The company says They say it has nothing to do with Esat Digifone.

The debate over call charges will continue and the issuing of another mobile phone licence next year is likely to increase competition further.

It is interesting to note that both operators say it is "unfair" to compare their overall call charges directly.