Do Not Call service from Bell

A nationwide initiative that will allow consumers to register their telephone numbers in order to reduce the number of telemarketing calls they receive.

By September 30, 2008.

Until the DNCL framework is operational by the end of September this year, current telemarketing rules – as set out in the Company's tariffs and summarized in the introductory pages of the phone directory – remain in force.

Unless there is an exemption (see answer to next question), telemarketers will be prohibited from placing unsolicited telemarketing calls to telephone numbers that have been registered on the DNCL.

There are certain exemptions from the National DNCL rules, including unsolicited telemarketing calls made:

• by or on behalf of registered charities
• by or on behalf of political parties
• to collect information for public opinion surveys
• to solicit subscriptions for general-circulation newspapers
• to consumers who have an existing business relationship with the telemarketer (e.g., businesses from which a consumer has purchased goods or services within the last 18 months)
• to business customers
• to people with whom the caller has a personal relationship

The national DNCL framework requires all Canadian companies to comply with the DNCL rules when the list becomes operational. In practice, this means businesses must be ready to respect consumer registrations on the DNCL on or before October 31, 2008.

In addition to the DNCL rules, there are other rules surrounding telemarketing activity. These rules include, for example, requirements to identify the person/company on whose behalf the call is made and to provide a telephone number where the caller can be reached, and the hours during which fax solicitation calls can be made. Once the DNCL is operational (by the end of September this year), the new telemarketing rules will apply.

In its capacity as a telemarketer, Bell must also comply with the DNCL and all associated rules.

Costs associated with the operation of the DNCL will be recovered by subscription fees paid to the operator by telemarketers.

The structure and level of fees are yet to be determined. Both will require CRTC approval.

We don't know at this point. This remains to be determined by the CRTC.

All telemarketers – other than those that are exempt – must obtain a subscription to the National DNCL and pay all applicable fees. In addition, clients of telemarketers (on whose behalf telemarketing calls are placed by an agency) must obtain a subscription to the National DNCL. Certain of the other telemarketing rules also apply to clients of telemarketers, including the requirement to maintain an individual DNCL.

Yes. The DNCL and other telemarketing rules apply to all telemarketing calls placed to Canadian telephone numbers, regardless of where the calls originate.

The CRTC has the power to impose monetary penalties on telemarketers who do not subscribe to the national DNCL or those who do not comply with the National DNCL rules (i.e., by up to $1,500 per individual and up to $15,000 per company per violation).

Both the telemarketer placing the call and the client on whose behalf the call is placed may be held liable for violations of the rules. Although it may be difficult to impose monetary penalties on foreign-based telemarketing firms, their clients may well have operations in Canada that can be held responsible.

The CRTC is responsible for operating the National DNCL. On December 21, 2007, the CRTC awarded a five-year contract to Bell to operate the National Do Not Call List on its behalf.

Yes. The contract between Bell and the CRTC stipulates that the list must be launched by September 30, 2008.

To create and administer the databases and systems related to:

• Consumer registration
• Telemarketer subscriptions and access to the list
• Security of information kept in databases
• System capacity
• Complaint processing
• Record keeping

The DNCL operator is responsible for the collection and preliminary assessment of all telemarketing complaints from consumers. All information related to complaints is then provided to the CRTC for further assessment and investigation. The CRTC is presently considering whether to outsource the complaints investigation role. A ruling in this regard is expected by February 29th, 2008.

No. The operator collects the complaint information and undertakes a preliminary assessment but the CRTC is responsible for investigating the complaints and imposing penalties on individuals and companies that are found to have violated the telemarketing rules.

Bell's activities as a telemarketer will be independent of its role as the DNCL Operator. Bell as a telemarketer will need to access DNCL information and pay the associated fees in the same manner as all other telemarketers, i.e., Bell as telemarketer will not have access to any more information than any other telemarketer registered with the DNCL.

Bell has a long and successful history of maintaining independence between the Company's wholesale and retail activities through our Carrier Services Group.

Procedures will be in place prior to the launch of the DNCL to ensure the protection of confidential information collected by Bell in its role as operator of the national DNCL. In particular, such confidential information will not be shared with other Bell groups, including telemarketing groups.

In addition, DNCL operator staff will be trained on the importance of maintaining the confidentiality of this information and procedures will be established to ensure they are aware of, and understand, the importance of these confidentiality provisions.

No. Bell's role as the DNCL Operator will be independent of its activities as a provider of DNCL solutions to business customers (please refer to response to Q1 above for more details re. independence of Bell vis-à-vis other Bell activities).

No. Please refer to response to Q2 above.

Information will be provided to both consumers and telemarketers in advance of the launch of the DNCL in 2008 via an extensive public awareness campaign. Details regarding this awareness campaign have not yet been announced by the CRTC.