Rogers Disappointed that CRTC will not block unsolicited SMS through Do Not Call List

    TORONTO, Nov. 18 /CNW/ - Rogers Wireless, Canada's leading wireless
carrier, is calling on the Canadian Radio-Television and Telecommunications
Commission (CRTC) to permit Canadian wireless customers to block unsolicited,
unwanted text messages (SMS) through the Do Not Call List.
    "Technology moves rapidly in Canada and innovative telemarketers will
find a way to use available tools to their advantage," said Ken Engelhart,
Senior Vice President, Regulatory, Rogers Communications Inc. "Since an SMS is
sent to a customer's phone number, the National Do Not Call List is a clear
opportunity for the CRTC to act now to protect consumers from unwelcome
interruptions to their wireless service."
    On September 30, the CRTC launched the national Do Not Call List to give
consumers a choice about whether to receive telemarketing calls and to place
new obligations on Canada's telemarketers. The Do Not Call List lets Canadian
consumers register their residential, wireless, fax or VoIP telephone number
to prevent or reduce incoming telemarketing calls. On November 3, 2008, Rogers
applied to the CRTC requesting that text messages be covered by the Do Not
Call List in the same manner as voice calls. Despite support on the matter
from the Public Interest Advocacy Centre, on November 13, the CRTC formally
declined Rogers' request.
    'SMS' stands for Short Message Service and is commonly referred to as
'text messaging'. Canadians send 54.1 million text messages per day. Rogers
does not charge customers for incoming text messages.

    About Rogers Wireless

    Rogers Wireless provides wireless voice and data communications services
across Canada to more than 7.7 million customers under both the Rogers
Wireless and Fido brands. Proven to operate Canada's most reliable wireless
voice and data communications network, Rogers Wireless is Canada's largest
wireless provider and the only carrier operating on the global standard GSM
and highly advanced HSPA technology platforms. In addition to providing
seamless roaming in more than 200 countries with its GSM based services,
Rogers Wireless also provides wireless broadband services across Canada,
utilizing its 2.5GHz fixed wireless spectrum. Rogers Wireless is a subsidiary
of Rogers Communications Inc. (TSX: RCI; NYSE: RCI), a diversified Canadian
communications and media company. For further information, please visit
www.rogers.com.