Beginning this June, businesses in the U.K. will be able to block cold calling by marketing firms, according to wire service reports.
The move comes in response to concerns expressed by small businesses that they do not have the resources to cope with high volumes of cold calls.
UK businesses have the choice to opt out of direct marketing calls by writing to the Telephone Preference Service (TPS) and registering the relevant phone numbers. They will be given an annual reminder of those numbers in case they no longer need to be covered.
Registration will be free for corporate subscribers, as it is for individuals. However, corporate subscribers will be required to register in writing in order to safeguard against bogus or inappropriate registrations.
The TPS was set up in 1999 and direct marketing firms have a legal obligation to check and comply with the list before calling.
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