Brussels, 08/12/2010 (Agence Europe) - Would it be advantageous to businesses to have a single telephone number for the entire European Union? This Wednesday 8 December, the European Commission launched a public consultation to answer this question. The aim is to make it easier for businesses to offer cross-border sales and to facilitate customers' access to after-sales services and information, irrespective of the member state they live in. The consultation will allow the Commission to assess the scope of demand for European telephone numbers by businesses and, if necessary, to propose initiatives to introduce these numbers. Consultation is open until 28 February 2011. (I.L./transl.fl)