Click on the following link and you can download the Australian Government's National Do Not Call Register Act 2006 that comes into effect on May 31. The explanatory statement of the legislation might be easier as it provides an overview. At least it's only 12 pages!
Unfortunately there has been little industry consultation (again) and there is much confusion out there. This blog is to assist in the implementation and compliance of the legislation.
In addition to the DNC, all outbound calls will need to comply with the Telemarketing Standards. Can I suggest you download and read this document. It is only 9 pages and is very clear. You may also wish to read the Guide for Telemarketers.
Below is a very simple overview of our obligations under the act. I invite questions for which I will try to get some answers.
- Any private subscriber can register for free from May 3, (originally we understood it to be May 17).
- Before you ring a number you must "wash" the number against the DNC. This is done by registering with Service Stream Solutions Pty Ltd. More information about how to do this will be published shortly. You will need to pay for this service.
- You must not be more than 30 days behind.
Have a scout around the ACMA website and associated links, post your questions and we'll try to get some answers. You can also register with ACMA to receive updates by subscribing to this email address donotcalltaskforce@acma.gov.au.
8 comments:
I've read the act, however I do have some questions:
1. Does this effect B2B customers?
2. If you are B2B company do you need to change your phone systems to show up the phone number on the receivers end? At the moment when we call new customers it shows private.
3. Are you still able to cold call new business that is contact companies and prospect new business?
The way I read it this register is more about protecting consumers especially the annoying insurance and telecommuication vendors.
Overall the way the register has been outlined by the government it is very "broad" and not enough clarity.
However I do agree that as a consumer we should have the right to say yes or no about receiving after hour telemarketing calls especially during dinner time.
Rod,
First the disclaimer. I am not a lawyer. This is not legal advice.
1. The DNC is for private subscribers. This means that businesses generally will not be able to register on the DNC. However, there is a complication. If a business operates out of home, it maybe possible for the subscriber to register thus making a B2B call in breach of the legislation.
2. As far as I am aware there is no requirement for you send the CLI.
3. Yes because if the subscriber is a company they will not be able to register.
With regard to your second posting, I'll leave that for others to comment.
LATEST UPDATE
ACMR (the regulator) has just released the next issue of their newsletter Making the Right Call. See the link below. You may want to look at the FAQs in particular.
The links in my previous post are:-
http://www.acma.gov.au/donotcall
ACMA has just released the following invitation.
The Australian Communications and Media Authority is seeking comment on varying calling times for research calls on Sundays under the Telecommunications (Do Not Call Register) Telemarketing and Research Calls) Industry Standard 2007 (the industry standard).
The Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts, Senator the Hon Helen Coonan directed ACMA on 4 April 2007 to consider varying the industry standard to allow research calls to be made on a Sunday between 9 am and 5 pm.
The Minister’s direction requires ACMA to consider certain matters, including the public benefit derived from accurate and high-quality research.
A discussion paper, Consideration of whether to remove the prohibition on making research calls on Sundays, invites comment and the submission of data and other evidence to assist ACMA in its consideration as to whether it should vary the industry standard.
The closing date for all submissions is Monday 21 May 2007.
Copies of the discussion paper can be downloaded from the ACMA website, www.acma.gov.au/donotcall under “National Industry Standard”.
If you're a researcher you may wish to make a comment.
... Extract from an email from ACMA...
Fees to access the Do Not Call Register
ACMA has determined the subscription fees for accessing the Do Not Call Register in the first year of operation. Under the Do Not Call Register (Access Fees) Determination 2007, the annual subscription fees range from $71 (to wash up to 20,000 numbers) to $80,000 (to wash up to 100 million numbers). There is also a subscription type that allows telemarketers to check up to 500 numbers per year at no cost.
The website at www.acma.gov.au/donotcall has been updated with a summary of the fees and a link to this Determination.
Post a Comment