[LINK] Fwd: New mobile rules mean premium safeguards for SMS

[Antony Barry]

Begin forwarded message:

> From: "Australian Communications & Media Authority" <media at acma.gov.au>
> Date: 7 March 2010 9:17:47 AM AEDT
> To: <tony at tony-barry.emu.id.au>
> Subject: New mobile rules mean premium safeguards for SMS
> Reply-To: media at acma.gov.au
> 
> New rules to come into effect on 1 July 2010 will give consumers the choice of barring all premium SMS from their mobile phones and thus preventing unwanted premium SMS charges. 
> 
> ‘If you don’t want these services, you can simply contact your phone company and ask for them to be turned off,’ said ACMA Chairman, Chris Chapman. 
> 
> ‘This will be a great option for parents who want to make sure their kids don’t sign up for something without understanding the charges. And people trying to manage their phone budget can stop premium charges by barring these services from their phone. 
> 
> ‘This is the latest in a package of measures we have put in place so mobile users can feel confident they will only receive and pay for services they actually want.’ 
> 
> The ACMA considers mobile phone companies should also move towards enabling consumers to request quick and easy barring via SMS. 
> 
> The ACMA will meet with senior representatives from mobile phone companies to discuss the introduction of this service for consumers and timings. 
> 
> New rules to stop mobile phone companies engaging with rogue operators are also being developed. 
> 
> Following the measures introduced last year, complaints to the Telecommunication Industry Ombudsman about premium SMS services have decreased by 50 per cent. 
> 
> ‘That is a dramatic turnaround.’ said Mr Chapman ‘The ACMA expects this trend to continue and will be monitoring the industry closely over the next twelve months to ensure that consumer concerns are being adequately addressed. 
> 
> ‘The ACMA has demonstrated its willingness to pursue, to the full extent of its powers, providers of premium SMS services that repeatedly operate in breach of rules governing these services,’ said Mr Chapman. 
> 
> Recently, the ACMA accepted an enforceable undertaking ( http://www.emailhosts.com/ct/ctcount.php?key=008881470096813200002125 )from Funmobile Australia Pty Limited, a premium SMS supplier, following an investigation into allegations that it had sent SMS messages in breach of the Spam Act. As part of the enforceable undertaking, Funmobile agreed to implement training, complaint handling and quality assurance programs. Funmobile also undertook to pay a financial component of $55,000. 
> 
> The Consultation Paper (http://www.emailhosts.com/ct/ctcount.php?key=008881460096813200002125 ) setting out proposed new premium SMS charging and contracting rules for industry, and further information on making submissions is available from the ACMA website. Submissions are due by 5pm on Friday 9 April 2010. 
> 
> Background material on regulation of mobile premium services is available on the ACMA website (http://www.emailhosts.com/ct/ctcount.php?key=008881450096813200002125 )
> 
> For more information or to arrange an interview please contact: Donald Robertson, Media Manager on (02) 9334 7980, 0418 86 1766 or media at acma.gov.au. 
> 
> # # # 
> 
> The ACMA is Australia’s regulator for broadcasting, the internet, radiocommunications and telecommunications. The ACMA’s goal is to make communications and media work in Australia’s public interest. We engage users and providers in a dynamic, changing environment. For more information www.acma.gov.au
> 
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