Snapshot Edition 20

If it sounds too good to be true – give it a miss. In response to widespread concern regarding a so-called "missed call" marketing scheme, mobile phone users have been warned to be careful when returning missed calls. AMTA CEO Chris Althaus noted on last night’s edition of Channel 9’s A Current Affair: If you are returning a missed call you must be careful. If you don't recognise the number or are concerned about its origin, the easiest way out of this situation is do not return the call at all.

AMTA disappointed at hands-free ban for P-plate Victorian drivers AMTA has expressed disappointment at the decision of the Victorian Government to institute a ban on hands-free mobile phone use by first year P-plate and L-plate drivers.

Competition delivers 13 per cent fall in mobile phone prices A new Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) report has found that mobile phone prices fell 13 per cent in 2004-05. Since 1997 Australian mobile phone consumers have benefited from a massive 36 per cent reduction.

Mobile phones are safe - World Health Organisation AMTA CEO Chris Althaus said on Channel 9’s A Current Affair this week that people can be assured mobile phones are safe given the extensive research undertaken by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and local health authorities have found no link between mobile phone use and health effects.

Lack of data a hurdle for ICT skills The Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts, Senator Helen Coonan, this week released the ICT Skills Foresighting Working Group’s report, Building Australian ICT skills.

AAPT, ANZ get behind Muster Staff members from the AAPT George Street Sydney office have challenged their colleagues in other States by rounding up and handing in just over 900 handsets, batteries and accessories within the first week of AAPT’s internal muster. The muster will run for a month across AAPT offices nationwide.

India drives growth in Asia/Pacific mobiles market A recent report has predicted an explosion in mobile subscription rates in India will boost growth in the Asia/Pacific mobile services market by 11% per year.

Bluetooth sales surge - mobile shipments steady Bluetooth sales worldwide nearly tripled in 2005, according to research conducted by Strategy Analytics.The group said global sales of Bluetooth headsets reached 33 million last year and predicted in 2007 it would be the world’s largest accessory market for mobile devices.

GSMA approves "3G for all" The board of the GSM Association (GSMA) last week approved a “3G for all” program, bringing 3G services and mobile internet to more people in developing nations.