411 Directory Assistance is one of the most recognized and iconic online search platform for local business searches with city directories in all major metropolitan areas in Canada like 411 ...

Google, which recorded calls made to GOOG-411, has been candid all along about the motivations behind running the service, which provides phone numbers for businesses in the U.S. and Canada.

Those directory assistance fees generate more than $4 million a year for the phone company. Now an American company, 1-800-Free-411, is offering Manitobans a way to get 411 service free of charge.

Today Google Inc. launched a Canadian version of its voice-recognition local search phone service GOOG-411. Canada becomes the first country outside the U.S. to gain access to the service.