The first directory of Britain’s 40 million mobile phone numbers will be available this year.

The service, to be provided by Connectivity, will work like existing 118 directory services, with customers paying to access their desired number.

Despite the widespread use of mobile phones in Britain, no complete directory of numbers exists. Although mobile phone operators keep details of contract customers, pay-as-you-go customers are not required to hand over personal details when they sign up. The mobile operators’ data are further sullied because the person registered with the phone might not be the user.

Mobile directory services – which are already common in Scandinavia where fixed lines are dying fast – have also been held back in Britain by consumer concerns about privacy.

Raj Raithatha, Connectivity’s chief executive, said: “Fixed-line services are becoming less and less relevant. However, we tend to carry around in our mobile phone the numbers of maybe only 20 core friends.”

Connectivity, which has received £17 million funding from the venture capital companies 3i and Esprit Capital Partners, said it recognised potential safety and privacy concerns and had put safeguards in place.

The company will seek permission from every mobile user on its list by contacting them over the next couple of months.

In addition the mobile numbers of those aged under 18 will be kept off the Connectivity register.

Unlike existing 118 services, users will not be connected directly to their requested number. Instead, an operator will ring to ask permission to put the call through.

The company has outlined its plans to the regulators Ofcom and Icstis, but has not revealed its pricing yet.

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