AN ACMA Media Release today highlighted the fact that customers who have their phone connections supplied through smaller network resellers face a higher risk of having active ‘Do Not Call’ registrations ignored.

Chris Chapman, ACMA Chairman, has admitted that ‘complex reselling arrangements and the use of offshore call centres has contributed to the level of non-compliance in the telecommunications industry’; resulting in many consumers receiving unsolicited marketing calls despite being registered on current and legally binding ‘Do Not Call’ lists.

Despite having investigated thousands of DNC violations last year (over 23 000 complaints) ACMA’s year long enforcement campaign has issued only four infringement notices, three ‘enforceable undertakings’ notices (essentially a good behaviour bond) and three formal warnings.

Figures in the release state that of all telecommunications companies reported for breaches, a mere 5% are responsible for 70% of complaints and ACMA is quick to reassure that it is targeting those few telcos (those named specifically were Dodo Australia, People Telecom, Astron Communications, Global Telelinks, Ezycall and m8 Telecom).

What this all amounts to is this; if you’re like me (and millions of other telecom subscribers in this country) and your phone connection is through a reseller, be aware that a being on a Do Not Call register Does Not Matter.

And that, my friends, is why my mobile phone is set to divert ALL calls to voicemail.