Australian regulator ACMA has punished Telstra for violations of the national Do Not Call register.
ACMA has fined Telstra A$101,200 ($83,621) after a year-long investigation into the operator's compliance with the Do Not Call Register Act, the watchdog said.
The investigation was launched when ACMA continued to receive complaints even after warning Telstra that violations were taking place.
The inquiry found that Telstra had inadequate compliance systems, procedures and supervision in place.
“The market leaders in the telco industry should consider themselves soundly on notice – size and complexity are no excuse for non-compliant practice,” ACMA chairman Chris Chapman said.
He added that Telstra has since paid the fine, and submitted an enforceable undertaking to improve its compliance safeguards.
“ACMA appreciates Telstra’s cooperation during the investigation, and the substantial commitment demonstrated in its enforceable undertaking to improve its telemarketing practices,” Chapman said.
Australia's Do Not Call register was launched in 2007, and currently has over 3.5 million listed phone numbers. Australia's population is around 21 million.