Regulator seeks to move telemarketing limits from regional to national level

The CRTC is looking to impose telemarketing restrictions across the country. Currently the rules apply only to certain ILECs and to CLECs that operate in the same territory. The regulations do not affect independent telcos, IXCs or wireless service providers (WSPs). At the end of June, the commission issued Public Notice 2000-91 seeking comments on the proposal to extend the restrictions, which include prohibitions on the use of automatic dealing and announcing devices (ADADs). The move will revise rules first imposed in Telecom Decision 94-10 and later updated in Telecom Order 96-1229. Those wishing to file comments had to let the CRTC know by July 10, with papers actually going in by July 31. The current regulations also limit live voice calls and fax solicitations. The 1996 order limits the hours during which faxes may be sent. The rules initially applied to Bell Canada’s territory, but were later extended to Manitoba Telecom Services and Telus. Another ruling, Telecom Decision 97-8, extended the restrictions to CLECs operating in Bell, Telus or MTS territory. But problems arise when the telemar-keter and the potential customer are in different regions. New Brunswick has evolved into a call centre cluster, with phone banks contacting people across Canada. NBTel has a tariff for call display blocking that permits telemarketers to phone without names and numbers appearing on the telephone set of the call recipient. Under the present CRTC rules, service will be terminated for those who break the regulations. But enforcement can only be used by LECs on their own customers in areas where the restrictions apply. Since the limits were set, the Atlantic telcos have merged to form Aliant Inc and SaskTel has moved to federal jurisdiction. In addition, technological breakthroughs like WSPs have superceded the rules.There has been a trickle of complaints to the commission about spam appearing on wireless phones. The new rules will likely apply to wireless communications. (RoW, April 17/00) John Gustavson, president and CEO of the Canadian Marketing Association, welcomes the move by the CRTC. The current regulations were based on a joint application by Bell and the Canadian Direct Marketing Association, the forerunner to the CMA. The plan to impose the rules nationwide is a good thing, he contends. "It imposes responsible conduct on telemarketers across the country and that will help build consumer receptiveness and confidence in doing business with telemarketers," Gustavson offers. He also thinks concrete legislation will serve better than self-regulation when it comes to dealing with firms that are skirting the rules.

Regulator seeks to move telemarketing limits from regional to national level

News | 07/16/2000 4:00 am EDT

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