Amazing! Miracles never cease to occur in Malta. Following my letter One Common Telephone Directory (May 28) the Malta Communications Authority did not deem it honourable enough to comment officially on my remarks. Instead it published a pseudo survey to justify the non-issuance of such an important tool. It claimed that less than half of the population make use of such a directory.

Let us analyse the current situation: The last directory was issued in 2004 purely for GO subscribers which included all the government departments. During the last five years many organisations introduced the direct dial system. There are other service providers with landlines and a whole bunch of cellular services. Calling 1182, apart from the fact that it comes at a cost, will not give you a comprehensive service. Some of the numbers are currently being used for fax purposes. Many have changed to a different provider. A large number of persons use exclusively their "mobile". The list of reasons is neverending. How can the MCA expect the modern generation to use such an antiquated directory? Are they trying to pull our legs? They would be better off telling it to the Marines! The MCA is not there just to regulate but also to ensure that the average citizen gets a good service. How can one trace a number, and perhaps an address, by going through so many service providers?

But the cherry on the cake is the quoted percentage. I ask: (a) What was the percentage use in the past? (b) Does any form of survey exist on previous usage? (c) What were the questions (verbatim) asked? (d) Did the survey enquire if use would be made of a fully up-to-date and comprehensive directory? (e) With the aging population, how can the MCA denigrate the over 50s?

Some of the comments on timesofmalta.com included concern about the environment. This really made me cry. How about the never ending junk mail, left rotting outside unoccupied residences? How about the tons of material sent before any election? At least many of the old directories would be recycled, but junk mail is just thrown away with the rubbish where it belongs.

All this is commerce and money. MCA should be truly independent, if such a thing is possible in Malta. All these authorities, boards and what not, are pure gimmicks, just a front to cover the respective minister or permanent secretary. Having said all this, how about an interim measure of a free online directory that is updated at least once a month by all the service providers? This should also include the government numbers (153 is very efficient) but a proper directory will facilitate tracing the office or person you require.

I hope that MCA will not be stubborn, or even worse, arrogant, but answers in plain language my two letters and the comments by the other readers.