Do Not Call register fees to rise

Businesses that checked phone numbers against the Do Not Call register faced an annual fee hike next year to cover a shortfall in revenue over the past two years.

The fee rise was less than the average 14-16 percent put out for public consultation [pdf] in September.

Businesses that checked off 20,000 numbers faced a $1 increase.

But those checking 100 million numbers against the list would face a rise of $2000 – not the $14,000 increase initially estimated.

They were necessitated by lower-than-expected demand for subscriptions to the list in 2008-9 and 2009-10, which saw the register recover $200,000 less than anticipated, according to the Australian Communications and Media Authority.

The expiry of the existing register operator's contract next February was also expected to add to the financial pressures faced by the list, it said.

The regulator said list subscribers weren't limited to big telemarketers but also included telcos, banks, travel agencies and small businesses "that seek to increase business in slow periods by telemarketing or fax marketing".