By Akweli Parker
Inquirer Staff Writer

Citing an increasing number of people who have ditched their landline phones, the cell-phone industry is angling to list customers in a cell-phone directory.

The directory, to be made available only to directory-assistance operators, would let just about anyone reach you - through an operator - on your wireless phone. Keeping your number out of the directory might cost you, although the industry will not discuss that issue.

The industry's leading trade group said it expected the directory to be available in about a year. It would be a boon to small businesses and "regular consumers" who would like potential customers or old friends to be able to find them on the go.

There are about 150 million cell-phone subscribers in the United States, according to the Cellular Telecommunications & Internet Association, the trade group.

"There had been consumer requests as more consumers cut the cord and went wireless only," said Travis Larson, spokesman for the group.

But what about people who prefer to keep their cell-phone numbers off-limits to the general public?

That question worries U.S. Rep. Joe Pitts, a Republican from Lancaster who, along with other members of a House consumer and commerce subcommittee, has been grilling cell-phone industry officials about the proposed directory's effect.

Continued @ The Philadelphia Inquirer