Zink answers 'Do Not Call' list questions
Steve Zink, Vice President of Information Technology and Dean of Libraries, shares his insight on "Do Not Call" registries. (Photo by: Theresa Danna-Douglas)
Wednesday, July 5, 2006
By: Jan Jones
Have you received an email encouraging you to list your cell phone number in a “Do Not Call” list? If so, Steve Zink, vice president of information technology and dean of libraries, says there's no need to heed the dire warnings.
Zink has recently received many questions from the campus community regarding this issue, and, in his own words, explains the situation and suggests an appropriate response:
You need not be concerned.
The main thing to keep in mind is that under current United States law, automated telemarketing to wireless phones is illegal.
There is some confusion, however, because of the construction of a wireless 411 directory (which is not a published directory, just a look-up service for a fee for cell phone users). Having your cell phone number listed in the directory will be offered to current wireless customers on an opt-in basis, without cost.
Why would anyone want to use such a service? Approximately 10% of U.S. households have no traditional land-line phone at home and the number is growing. At least one private-sector company believes that some significant number of those more traditional phone users now on cell service would want a directory service.
If you have received an email telling you that you should register your cell phone number with the National Do-Not-Call Service of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), I strongly suggest that you do not do that for cell phones. Indeed, the registry covers both traditional land line phones and wireless (mobile or cell) phones.
So why not list your number?
Because telemarketers must purchase these registries to the do-not-call phones listed on the registry. In other words you would be registering your previously unknown cell phone number to a list made available to telemarketers. That doesn’t make a lot of sense to me.
If you have any questions, please let me know. You can reach me at stevenz@unr.edu.
-- Steve Zink, Vice President of Information Technology and Dean of Libraries
Related Links
Faculty/Staff Cell Phones
Office of the Vice President of Information Technology
New Phone System Coming in 2007!
