A new directory enquiries service, run by a former employee of Telecom Eireann, opened for business yesterday.

The service, to be found on the new number 11 850, will offer call completion at no additional charge, will be able to send requested numbers to the screens of mobile phones and will allow customers an unlimited number of queries per call.

Speaking at the introduction of the new service, Mr Paul Young, managing director of Conduit Europe, said: "We aim to have captured 50 per cent of the Irish market within two years, and with Irish people making 45 million calls a year to directory enquiries, the market is worth between £15 million and £20 million. As the number of people using a mobile phone increases, so does demand for directory enquiries.

"Conduit plans to open another call centre outside Dublin in the near future and is on the verge of signing another major contract in a European country."

The company currently employs 220 people and is in partnership with Esat and Colt.