Written question asked by Anne Moffat (Labour) on Wednesday, 5 January 2005, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 15 March 2005. It was answered by Mike O'Brien (Labour) on Tuesday, 15 March 2005 on behalf of the Department of Trade and Industry.

Dept of Trade and Industry

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what studies have been carried out on the (a) extent, (b) nature and (c) sources of unsolicited silent telephone calls by commercial power diallers.

Answer: Anne Picking: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what studies have been carried out on the (a) extent, (b) nature and (c) sources of unsolicited silent telephone calls by commercial power diallers. [207766] Mr. Mike O'Brien: The Communications Act 2003 confers powers on the Office of Communications (Ofcom)to regulate forms of behaviour, which fall within the Act's definition of persistent misuse of an electronic communications network or service. Unsolicited silent calls are an example of behaviour, which might represent persistent misuse. Ofcom is not aware of any studies that have been carried out in relation to unsolicited silent calls. The most common form of an unsolicited silent call is not intentional, but arises from the use of automated calling systems, also referred to as power diallers or automated calling equipment located within call centres. Calls are automatically generated but in the absence of an available operator to speak to the called party, the call is abruptly terminated.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 432 c224-5W;432 c222-3W; 207766
Session: 2004-05
Subjects: Misuse Ofcom Telecommunications Regulation Telephones Unsolicited goods and services
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk