Okay, and in the three years since then, have they made any progress? If not, why am I wrong if I think they may have just been using that as an excuse?

They have implemented the shake and stir protocol in the US.

Easy solution where that's not an issue.

Add an abuse button to the phone.

Every call costs a dollar to connect, no matter where it comes from - another carrier or international or whatever.

You get the dollar back if the receiver doesn't press the abuse button.

The dollar can be waived if the company knows the call is coming from an individual household with low call volume.