Aussies rush to give telemarketers the flick

Stuart Corner
Thursday, 03 May 2007 18:57

IT Policy - Regulation

The Australian Communications and Media Authority says it has received an overwhelming response to its do-not-call register, launched today, 3 May.

The ACMA said that over 50,000 consumers had listed their fixed and mobile telephone numbers on the register on its first morning of operation. "The very high volume of responses has led to slowness in the system. These issues can be expected in any new online system dealing with a large number of registrations and are being actively addressed by the service provider Service Stream Pty Ltd," the ACMA said.

However the ACMA can hardly claim that this level of response was unexpected. When she launched the register, at an event in Sydney, communications minister, senator Helen Coonan, said: "Based on overseas experience, there is expected to be a high level of demand for the Register - as many as one million registrations expected in the first week."

In its discussion paper on the proposed register, issued in late 2005, DCITA noted tha:t "The US Registry has been remarkably successful. In the three days following its announcement...in June 2003, some 10 million numbers were submitted for inclusion...In July 2005, there were more than 98 million numbers registered."

The paper also noted that, as at June 2005 approximately eight million numbers had been lodged on the UK's do not call register.

The Australian register becomes fully operational on 31 May after which date it will generally be unlawful to make telemarketing calls to numbers placed on the register. From 25 May telemarketers will be able to submit their calling lists to the register operator for checking against the register.

The Consumers' Telecommunications Network (CTN) welcomed the register, but claimed that it was not sufficiently proscriptive. Sarah Wilson, policy advisor at CTN, said: "There are many exemptions which will allow charities, religious organisations, political parties and social researchers to call people even though they are on the Do Not Call register. People may be disappointed that in reality, the register won't stop all telemarketers."

CTN wants the Register reviewed in 12 months "to see if it is having the desired effect of stopping the bulk of unwanted telemarketing calls."

Registration is free at www.donotcall.gov.au. Telephone registrations will be available later in May and forms will also be available through Australia Post offices from mid-May. Registrations are valid for three years, and may be cancelled at any time.