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Home / Advice & Information / Unsolicited Contacts & National Directory Database

Unsolicited Contacts & National Directory Database

This page contains:

  • What is the National Directory Database?

  • What are the different directory listings?

  • How can I change my directory listing?

  • What about my direct marketing preference?

  • What types of marketing calls are there?

  • What happens once my number is listed on the ‘do not call’ register?

  • What can I do if I receive marketing calls against my wishes?

  • Who looks after the NDD?

  • Information for Direct Marketers

What is the National Directory Database?

The National Directory Database “NDD” is a record of all subscribers of publicly available telephone numbers in the State, who have not refused to have their details recorded in it. It includes both home phone and mobile phone numbers.

The NDD has two functions:

• The primary purpose of the NDD is to hold the listing preferences of all consumers as to whether they wish to be listed for telephone directories and directory enquiry services purposes.

• It also holds consumers’ preferences as to whether or not they wish to be contacted by direct marketing companies. This is known as a direct marketing preference.

Describes National Directory Database Function

What are the different directory listings?

There are a number of different options for directory listings:

ListedDetails (name, address, telephone number) are made available to providers of directory enquiry services or directories. In practice that means that these details can be accessed using directory enquiries
Ex-directoryDetails (name, address, telephone number) are not made available to providers of directory enquiry services or directories. In practice that means that these details cannot be accessed using directory enquiries

How can I change my directory listing?

You should contact your service provider to amend your directory listing in the NDD and request your listing preference. Your directory listing will remain the same until such time as you request to change it.

What about my direct marketing preference?

All telephone users can register whether or not they want to receive direct marketing calls to their phone. This preference is recorded on the NDD.

If your phone number is registered on the NDD ‘do not call register’, marketers in Ireland are prohibited from calling your phone number for direct marketing purposes.

If your phone number is ex-directory, your number should be automatically recorded as not wanting to receive direct marketing calls, unless you have stated a preference to allow direct marketing companies to contact you.

Mobile numbers are “opted out” by default, this means that marketers in Ireland are prohibited from calling your mobile phone number for direct marketing purposes, unless you have stated a preference to allow direct marketing companies to contact you. You may change this by asking your telecoms service provider to change your preference.

What types of marketing calls are there?

There are a number of different kinds of marketing calls that you can receive. For example, you may receive marketing calls from direct marketing companies or from a business which you have consented to contact you for marketing purposes if you are or recently were a customer.

This means you may give a business consent to contact you which is separate to that which is recorded on the NDD. The business can do this even if your number is included on the ‘do not call register’, unless you tell them that you do not want them to phone you. You might also receive a marketing call if you provide phone details to a company, for example by entering a competition, redeeming coupons or requesting a brochure.

An ‘unsolicited call’ is a call that is not requested by the person who receives the call. ‘Cold calling’ is when a company calls you, without getting your permission, so they can try to sell you goods or services. Not all marketing calls fall into the category of ‘unsolicited calls’ or a ‘cold call’.

The regulatory requirements in this area refer to direct marketing calls only, so, for example, if a company contacts you to ask you to take part in a survey, this is not prohibited.

What happens once my number is listed on the ‘do not call’ register?

Organisations who engage in direct marketing in Ireland are prohibited from calling your telephone number for direct marketing purposes if your number is registered on the NDD ‘do not call register’.

When you contact your phone service provider to tell them you do not want to receive direct marketing calls, they will make sure that this is recorded in the NDD. It will do this promptly, but if there are a large number of similar requests, it may take up to five working days.

Direct marketing companies are required to access the NDD to see which phone numbers do not want to receive marketing calls and make sure that they do not call them.

What can I do if I receive marketing calls against my wishes?

If you have received direct marketing calls and no longer want direct marketing companies to call you, you should contact your phone service provider to ensure your preference not to receive direct marketing calls is registered on the NDD.

If your preference not to receive direct marketing calls is registered on the NDD, or if you get the call more than 28 days after your details have been recorded in the ‘do not call register’, or after you have told the company in question not to contact you again, you may wish to complain to the Data Protection Commission. Their office can investigate and prosecute the company if necessary. Please see www.dataprotection.ie for further information.

Who looks after the NDD?

Since 2 September 2019, PortingXS manage and maintain the NDD. This followed a detailed process whereby in March 2018, ComReg invited all undertakings who were interested in managing and maintaining the NDD to express their interests. ComReg issued a consultation and final Decision in December 2018, confirming PortingXS as the organisation responsible for overseeing the management and maintenance of the NDD. Please refer to ComReg Decision D16/18 for further information.

Information for Direct Marketers

Direct Marketing companies who wish to gain access to the NDD should contact PortingXS (ndd@portingxs.nl) . The license agreement and application form are available on PortingXS’s website.

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