iMobile-Solutions has announced the launch of DQ4Mobile, an SMS directory enquiry service which it says is a quarter of the price and four times as fast as current 118 services. Using DQ4Mobile, users text 83211 to search and retrieve telephone numbers from a national directory of over 1.5 million businesses.  
At 25 pence per text, 83211 provides an instant response to your text message but at 75% less than the cheapest 118 operator. A 2006 report from Ofcom, Evaluation of Directory Enquiry Services, suggested that 30% of people are using directory enquiry services far less than they used to, because 118 operators are expensive. DQ4Mobile says its new service provides a welcome and affordable alternative. 
To use the service, users text What (ie taxi/plumber/Indian restaurant etc…) dot Where (i.e. Oxford, so 'Taxi.Oxford') to 83211 to find details of three services of that type operating in that area.
The costs of calling directory enquiry services from a mobile are much higher than from a landline phone, says DQ4Mobile creator Kishore Kumar Sankla. The advantage of texting 83211 means you dont have to phone an expensive 118 operator to retrieve a number only to discover you have an expensive call transfer charge or have to wait ages for the text back service to respond. 
iMobile-Solutions has developed a range of applications using SMS technology. In addition to DQ4mobile, it also offers HR4mobile, an SMS solution that streamlines back office HR functions, including remote time sheets, remote expenses and remote absence.