[AT] Cell Phones-Off Topic but needed to know

[H. L. Staples]

A friend sent this along, perhaps it will clear up some of the
missinformation that has been published and passed along with good
intentions.

H. L. 

 Comments:  While it's true that the major wireless phone providers (with
the exception of Verizon) have announced their intention to establish a 411
directory of customers' cell phone numbers beginning in late 2005, it is not
true that they plan to "publish" said directory for any and all to read.
Participating companies say the numbers will be made available only with
customer consent and only via telephone to users who dial directory
assistance and pay a fee. 

The companies swear the numbers will never be available to telemarketers. 

Not everyone believes that, however, as evidenced by a privacy protection
bill already introduced in Congress which would modify the plan to allow 411
callers to be directly connected to requested parties without the latter's
phone numbers being given out. 

Per FCC regulations, telemarketers are already prohibited from calling cell
phone numbers using automated dialers, which are standard in the industry. 

Dec. 15th 'deadline' is bogus 

In any case, the Federal Trade Commission does allow cell phone users to add
their numbers to the National Do Not Call Registry — the same one already in
force for landlines — either on the Web or by calling 1-888-382-1222. 

Contrary to what some variants of the email rumor claim, there is no
December 15, 2004 deadline for adding cell phone numbers to the list —
indeed, there is no deadline whatsoever.
 
-------Original Message-------
 
From: Wayne Snelling
Date: 12/09/04 00:41:09
To: Antique tractor email discussion group
Subject: [AT] Cell Phones-Off Topic but needed to know
 
Starting Jan 1, 2005, all cell phone numbers will be made public to
telemarketing firms by the publishing of a national cell phone directory.
 
This means as of Jan 1, your cell phone may start ringing off the hook with
telemarketers, but unlike your home phone, most of you pay for your
incoming
calls.  These telemarketers will eat up your free minutes and end up
costing
you money in the long run.
 
According to the National Do Not Call List, you have until Dec. 15th 2004
to get on the national "Do not call list" for cell phones. They said that
you need to call 1-888-382-1222 from the cell phone that you wish to have
put on the "do not call list" to be put on the list. They also said you can
do it online at http://www.donotcall.gov .
 
Registering only takes a minute, is in effect for 5 years and will save you
money!  Make sure you register now!
 
Wayne
 
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