Snapshot Edition 23

Drivers face a range of distractions – Why single out mobiles? Drivers using commonsense practices and adhering to existing laws can make safe use of mobile phones while driving, AMTA CEO Chris Althaus said in response to today’s Sydney Morning Herald story in the Drive section about several Australian companies banning employees from using hands-free mobile phones while driving in company cars.

Media changes announced by Minister The media changes announced by the Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts, Senator Helen Coonan, include plans to open up two unallocated digital channels for new digital services such as mobile television or new in-home services.

US government to send SMS in emergency The US government will be sending out text messages to mobile phones in the event of an impending disaster by the end of next year, the Homeland Security Department announced recently.

Industry offers help for young driver education on distractions AMTA CEO Chris Althaus has written to Victorian Premier Steve Bracks offering to partner the Government to provide information on mobile phone use in cars as part of driver education particularly aimed at making young drivers aware of the range of distractions they will face while driving.

Handset shipment figures grow The latest handset shipment figures indicate strong growth in Australia’s mobile market, with over 800,000 handsets shipped into the country for the month of June.

MCF meets Blacktown council Mobile Carriers Forum ED, Tanya Stoianoff, presented to Blacktown City Council last week, highlighting the regulatory and planning requirements carriers must comply with when building mobile phone base stations.

Charge that to my mobile Trials are underway on technology solutions that will allow consumers to use their mobile phone to pay for items and services just like a credit card. New technology called near-field communications (NFC) is set to combine mobile and smartcard technologies and add another dimension to the utility provided by the mobile phone.

Design and Innovation Taskforce on mobile infrastructure The MCF has held the first meeting of its Design and Innovation Taskforce. The Taskforce’s objective is to oversee the creation of a technical paper investigating various design options both in Australia and abroad.

Attorney General’s Department – New telco branch In a sign of the times the Attorney General’s Department (AGD) is substantially increasing its focus and capacity in telecommunications.