It is important that sellers and others involved in telemarketing recognize that  BOTH   the FTC and the FCC regulate telemarketing practices.

The FTC site  www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/alerts/dncbizalrt.htm deals with the do not call provisions of the Telemarketing Sales Rule (TSR) enforced by the FTC.

FCC regulations are at http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-03-153A1.pdf

The consumer No-call list may also contain useful information https://telemarketing.donotcall.gov/FAQ/FAQBusiness.aspx#ftcdocs

Both national and state level no-call lists resulted from heavy lobbying and news cycle promotion by large media organizations facing rapidly eroding advertising revenues due to more cost-effective Internet and phone based marketing methods. Using repetitive news loops to agitate consumers on this specific topic, they were able to produce over 64,000 public comments related to no-call list rule making.

With their first objective achieved of shutting out telemarketing competition, this lobbying effort has moved on to eliminate email as

an advertising rival to radio, TV, newspaper, and magazine ads. The final phase of their strategy is to agitate public sentiment against pop-up and banner ads on websites.

It is likely that their success in the consumer arena will lead to a reduction of advertising competition in the business-to-business arena as well.

Owners should proactively study the impact of reduced advertising options and competition when considering expansion.