The news comes as the Corporate TPS regulations come into effect.
Marketingfile claims that the cost of licensing a copy of the corporate TPS list for use in checking numbers is 拢3,750 a year. However, the combined cost of both corporate and individuals lists is 拢11,250 a year. The new law is backed up by a 拢5,000 fine for calling someone who has opted out.
Marketingfile has slammed the law as "the latest example of red-tape madness".
A further 54% of people in the survey described the move as "a terrible idea that will adversely affect my business". More than 900 businesses were surveyed.
Marketingfile has launched a free service, , which enables businesses to check telephone and fax numbers against the opt-out lists.
Marketingfile's director Chris Loveys said: "The way this law is being implemented is completely mad; it has not been thought through at all. Ideally there would have been a single opt-out file. However, if there really must be separate files for business numbers and home numbers, you would have hoped that they would put all the business numbers into the one file -- otherwise you need to know the legal status of the business you want to call to determine which file you should be checking against."
The TPS is operated on Ofcom's behalf by the Telephone Preference Service, a subsidiary of the Direct Marketing Association. Last week, Experian, D&B and Wegner launched a campaign to educate SMEs that they believe are unaware of the new legislation and at risk from fines.
The joint initiative claims that the Corporate TPS will have a negative effect on small-to-medium sized enterprises that rely heavily on telemarketing to sell their products and services.
If you have an opinion on this or any other issue raised on Brand Republic, join the debate in the .