It looks like the US version of 118.com is now available in soft launch. You can search for both business and residential data in the New York area and see web site thumbnails. The about us section says the site will offer ratings and reviews but I haven’t seen any yet. 118.com is owned by InfoNXX, a directory assistance supplier in various countries including The Number 118-118 in the UK, Le Numero (France), Il Numero (Italy), Die Nummer (Switzerland), and Conduit (Ireland).

What it means: the web site is not really differentiated from other US local search site and the brand is not very well known in North America (118 is the equivalent of 411 in the UK and France). Is it the first volley before the introduction of a US-based free 411 service from InfoNXX?