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New Jersey regulators approved a measure this week that will make the online version of the white pages the standardized directory for the state from now on.

Customers will still be able to obtain a CD version of the public information but will no longer have option to obtain it in print. Government and business listings will still be distributed on paper. The listings will be available at www.verizon.com/whitepages.

Verizon (News - Alert) claims the move will save the company money and that the reduction in paper will benefit the environment.

This news signals a trend throughout the United States. With Internet access becoming widely available many are looking to the internet for easier ways of accessing public information.

Late last year the white pages announced a successful transfer into the web arena, with apps earning top ranks apps across multiple smart phone platforms and a highly trafficked website. "More importantly, we have seen an increase in repeat user engagement. Every new iPhone (News - Alert) update we release has received a higher uptake rate, with our last upgrade getting over 60 percent of customers who have downloaded our application to update,” said white pages vice president Kevin Nakao.

More recently phonebooks.com made over 2.4 millions phone numbers available online.The Information was harvested from public internet files and includes both land and cell phone numbers. Those who wish to be removed from the data base may do so by internet request.

Each of these initiatives illustrates the need for migration of public information on to the Internet and shows that both the users and companies are ready for the change.

Chris DiMarco is a Web Editor for TMCnet. He holds a master�s degree in journalism from Quinnipiac University. Prior to joining TMC (News - Alert) Chris worked with e-commerce provider Suresource as a contact center representative and development analyst. To read more of Chris� articles, please visit his columnist page.

Edited by Patrick Barnard