By Jo Best, 21 May 2004 17:45
NEWS The days of mobiles escaping the nuisance of cold calling may soon be over, with the US leading the way plans are afoot across the pond to create a public directory of mobile numbers and their users.
The idea is being voiced by Cellular Telecommunications and Internet Association (CITA) who believe that, with an increasing number of individuals and businesses ditching their traditional landlines in favour of going mobile, people need a way of tracking down the mobiles of businesses or friends more easily.
CITA are hoping that significant numbers over 100 million US mobile owners will join the scheme. Approximately five per cent of all US households are totally reliant on their mobile, according to the association.
While some users will have to contact the directory publishers to let them know they're happy to feature on the list, others will be put on straight away as part of their contract with the mobile operators.
The scheme has attracted criticism from some quarters as it opens up the possibility of revealing the numbers to telemarketers, allowing them to contact subscribers whenever and wherever they choose.
Comments
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1. Nigel Perry
Spam is the biggest turn-off for the users of a communications system so the industry had better get wise to that. I'll be using the provider who can keep the spammers off my back, voting for the politicians who make spamming profitless, and contributing to the legal defence of people who are prosecuted for taking defensive measures against spammers. Fight back folks - it's fun!
2. anonymous
That may be fine in the US, where 80% of the population never leave the country, however, elsewhere the International Roaming Charges paid by users would be significant. There might also be a case to sue the calling companies for these charges. One would hope that this will prevent this ever being allowed anywhere outside the US; if it goes through.