Ads await you

AT&T is rolling out its successful ad-supported directory assistance service across the entire US.

The program was tested in three markets earlier this year.

The ads account for the time at which a user makes a request and the user's location. It then targets ads based on what category of service the user seeks.

Consequently, someone querying the number of a pizza place would hear an ad for a pizza place.

AT&T will continue using technology partner Apptera to deliver the targeted ads.

Acknowledging conflict-of-interest concerns with Ingenio, which it now owns, AT&T asserts there has been no lack of harmony between the two.

Ingenio's products and customers will be integrated into AT&T's offerings soon enough. Meanwhile, the two continue to operate more or less independently.