New register to 'keep out telemarketers'
Thursday Feb 1 17:43 AEDT
The federal government has awarded a $12 million contract to build and operate its so-called Do Not Call Register to a subsidiary of Melbourne-based company Service Stream Limited.
The register will enable people to put their fixed lines and mobile numbers on a list to opt out of receiving a range of telemarketing calls.
The register is being established because of increasing community concern about the growth in unsolicited telemarketing calls.
The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) said in a statement that Service Stream Solutions had been awarded the contract in a competitive tender process.
Listed on the Australian Stock Exchange (ASX), Service Stream Ltd has a workforce of about 3,000.
The authority said Service Stream was contracted to operate the register for an initial four-year period for $12.1 million, with an option for an additional three years.
The register is expected to be self-funded after four years, as telemarketers will have to pay a fee to access the register.
The register is expected to be in action by the end of May 2007.
From that time it will be unlawful for any non-exempt telemarketer in Australia to call a number on the list.
http://news.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=224951