New Canadian Call Restrictions 'Good for Research'

Canada's CRTC has given the country's telecoms firms three weeks to implement technology reducing the number of nuisance calls to consumers. Recently launched MR association CRIC says the move should help, not hinder researchers.

The move is in line with directives already in force in the UK and USA. CRTC (the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission) has been discussing the plan for years with the industry, and has now set a deadline of 19th December for the introduction of technologies that block 'blatantly illegitimate calls' at the network level, before reaching the subscriber. However the body has also indicated that this is only the first step in a multi-pronged strategy which also includes call filtering, caller authentication and validation, and industry-wide call traceback.

Providers also have the option of offering subscribers opt-in call-filtering services with more advanced call-management features, and comms company Telus has said it will take this route. Rival Rogers and Bell say they will roll out universal call blocking, with the blockers applied to incoming voice calls on all devices, including cordless, fixed-line telephones and over IP.

Telus customers wishing to opt in to call filtering will be required to enter a number on their keypad to proceed. CRIC says this will block all robocalls including those for legitimate purposes including emergency notices from school boards and calls for marketing research; and that it would also prevent access to services such as collect calls and text to landline.

CRIC, whose current government relations consultant was involved in 2016 discussions and 'successfully argued that the directive should... not result in a blanket solution that would also screen out legitimate callers', says the order 'will result in fewer nuisance calls to Canadians and create a better environment for research calls'.

The CRTC also intends to implement the 'STIR/SHAKEN' protocol, which allows Canadians to verify the legitimacy of caller ID information. CRIC says this 'will also be positive for our industry by providing assurance to Canadians that the calls they receive are from the company identified'. However, it says, 'CRIC will be closely monitoring other initiatives that the CRTC is contemplating to reduce nuisance calls and will intervene to ensure that any new regulatory directives to Telecomms do not block calls from marketing research companies'.

Web site: www.canadianresearchinsightscouncil.ca .