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Lawmakers Looking to Revise Robocall Laws for Cell Phones

Article Comments  24  

Sep 29, 2011, 3:53 PM   by Eric M. Zeman

Representative Lee Terry from Nebraska has introduced a bill that would allow companies to use computers or other automated tools to make phone calls to mobile phones. The current law, which was set in 1991, prevents auto-dialing and robocalls to cellular devices. At the time, the law was put in place to protect consumers from the high per-minute cost of mobile calls. Now, lawmakers believe the reasoning behind the law is moot and prevents businesses from contacting their customers regarding important notices and information. Specifically, H.R. 3035 — also called the Mobile Informational Call Act of 2011 — looks to amend the Communications Act of 1934 to permit informational calls to mobile telephone numbers, and for other purposes. Consumers would still be protected from unsolicited marketing calls to their mobile phone numbers. In a letter sent by a number of financial institutions to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, he explained, "Businesses increasingly rely on advanced communications technologies to convey timely and important information to consumers. These calls notify consumers about threats such as data breaches and fraud alerts, provide timely notice of flight and service appointment cancellations and drug recalls, and protect consumers against the adverse consequences of failure to make timely payments on an account. Unfortunately, the TCPA restricts informational calls that utilize assistive technologies to mobile devices even though the law permits such calls to be made to wireline phones. As a result, the approximately 40% of American consumers who identify their mobile device as their primary or exclusive means of communication do not receive many of these calls. This restriction imposes unwarranted costs and inconveniences on consumers, businesses, and the economy as a whole." The bill needs to be approved by congress and the president before the law can be changed.

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Tofuchong

Sep 29, 2011, 10:23 PM

Complete Crap

This is clearly a law or "resolution" that is trying to be passed by a republican. This law favours business and Craps all ove the face of the individual. The individual who proposed this should be fired, immediately. Going forward with this will not benifit the individual in ANY situation.

You WANT to get those calls? Get a magic-Jack for $50.00 a year and leave it plugged in. For everybody else, this is complete horse crap, there is no other way to put it.
"""As a result, the approximately 40% of American consumers who identify their mobile device as their primary or exclusive means of communication do not receive many of these calls."""

If you exclusively have a Cellular device, you are asking for p...
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This is an outrage! Everyone knows that politicians are supposed to be catering to labor unions and Solyndra.....
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that1guy

Sep 29, 2011, 5:06 PM

Some of us still pay for minutes

and by revising the rules, our minutes would be wasted, not to mention even if we didnt answer, our phones would still ring, a lot, and make it more annoying.
I agree it would waste my minutes too. Even if we didnt answer the call we would have to constantly go into our voicemail to erase all the stupid messages they would leave.
I think you missed two parts:

1) The Do Not Call Registry is not going away, so that protection against solicitors is still in place.

2) The current law FORBIDS my bank to call me on my cell phone to report a breach of data, despite the f...
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atoz

Sep 30, 2011, 3:06 PM

today's ROBO voice call

This is an important call from Account Services. You may qualify for lower rates on your mortgage. Press 1 to be connected to an account specialist. Press 2 to be removed from this list.

ffffftttt!!! I've been pressing 2 for the past 5 years. I have no relationship with "Account Services". I don't have a mortgage.

In a perfect world I could press a button on my phone that would (1) block this caller, (2) reverse the charge on this call, and (3) report the number as violating my DO-NOT-CALL directive.
Globhead

Sep 30, 2011, 1:10 PM

Rep. Lee Terry: Wrong about everything

This twit manages to be on the wrong side of everything.

In addition to his love of robot calls...

He likes hydrogen for an alternative fuel, which is the only option among all possibilities to be completely unworkable.

He likes gambling prohibition, which is impractical and fascist.

He votes against stem cell research, so he is also just plain stupid.
atoz

Sep 30, 2011, 1:47 AM

I'll agree if CALLER PAYS for Voice or SMS

Despite it being illegal, I already get unsolicited voice and text messages on my prepaid cellphone.

I propose a fundamental change to the way the cellphone Robocall gateways work - the users of these gateways must register with the cellular companies. The cellular companies are allowed to require a fee for the user of their gateways. Any calls, voice messages, and text messages received via this gateway will be FREE to the customer.

I bet the number of "refinance my mortgage" text messages will drop to zero if the sender has to pay for them.
You know, there's a way to get unlimited texting on VZW for $20 per month as long as you don't make phone calls. I doubt $20 per month would have a big impact on these guys.
navydave

Sep 29, 2011, 7:20 PM

no

how about just no dumb ass I don't want your junk call. If your some jerk politic you just lost my vote.
I just wonder who this retard tea-bagger republican is to want this crap? Love to see who's paying him off.
droppedcall

Sep 29, 2011, 5:29 PM

Robo-Call

The only robocalls I've had in past five years (via landline) have been from politicians asking for money.

Mr. Terry obviously is well ensconced up someones well funded orifice.
wecivus

Sep 29, 2011, 4:33 PM

Bull Hockey!

I HATE junk phone calls from mortgage lenders and credit card companies! What a total dumbass wasting time of millions of people answering stupid phone calls. I hate this man.
Dreyfous23

Sep 29, 2011, 4:12 PM

What a waste.

The current law, which was set in 1991, prevents auto-dialing and robocalls to cellular devices. At the time, the law was put in place to protect consumers from the high per-minute cost of mobile calls. Now, lawmakers believe the reasoning behind the law is moot and prevents businesses from contacting their customers regarding important notices and information. Specifically, H.R. 3035 -- also called the Mobile Informational Call Act of 2011 -- looks to amend the Communications Act of 1934 to permit informational calls to mobile telephone numbers, and for other purposes. Consumers would still be protected from unsolicited marketing calls to their mobile phone numbers..


These two points seem to counter each ...
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