AMTA Snapshot Edition 34

AMTA hopes announcement is soon on mobile premium content scheme AMTA is hopeful that the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) will approve a new scheme that introduces a range of safeguards to protect children, give consumers clear cost information on premium mobile phone services and a “stop” command to unsubscribe. ACMA was scheduled to consider the Mobile Premium Services Self-Regulatory Scheme yesterday.

ACMA’s Chair outlines approach to tackling code compliance The Chairman of the Australian Communications and Media Authority, Chris Chapman, announced at AMTA’s Conference last week ACMA’s approach to tackling telecommunications code compliance issues. “The approach is designed to provide industry with guidance on ACMA’s approach and regulatory philosophy when addressing issues of non-compliance with telecommunications codes,” he said.

GSMA Presentation at AMTA Conference Continuing our coverage of presentations from the 2006 AMTA Conference, this week’s focus is on comments by Bill Gajda, CMO – GMSA. Mr Gajda’s presentation provided a global perspective and highlighted the programs of the GSMA in support of global adoption of GSM mobile services.

MCF tackles false base station claims The Mobile Carriers Forum has hit back at false claims in a Brisbane newspaper that the rollout of mobile phone base stations poses a “legitimate” health fear. The MCF Executive Director, Tanya Stoianoff, said contrary to suggestions in a recent article in the Courier Mail (Caution on tower spree 21 Sept.), there is no credible scientific evidence of health effects from living or working near a mobile phone base station.

Mobile marketing winners to be announced next week Winners of the 2006 ADMA MMA (Mobile Marketing & Advertising) Awards will be announced next Thursday 5 October at a prestigious ceremony at Doltone House, Sydney, with TV host James O’Loghlin as MC. A shortlist of outstanding mobile marketing campaigns, content offerings and applications are in the running for the prestigious prize.

Mobile Muster features in Cellular News Cellular News this week ran an item about the results released by AMTA showing that public awareness of mobile phone recycling has risen with collections passing the two million handset and battery mark. Consumer awareness increased (46 to 54%), while fewer people threw their mobiles out with the rubbish, down from 9% last year to 5% in 2006.

Mobile phones - the most important advertising medium of the 21st century Probably the most important medium for advertising in the 21st century is going to be the cell phone, not print media, not billboards. It's just a matter of time — there are just too many of them, says Gerry Purdy, an analyst with Frost and Sullivan. Globally, the number of cell phones in use recently crossed 2.5 billion, an increase of a half-billion in 12 months, according to Wireless Intelligence, a joint venture between the GSM Association industry group and the research firm Ovum.

I don’t like cricket….I love it! As the 06/07 summer approaches, one of the big issues to be debated revolves around the age old battle between willow and leather in pursuit of a diminutive urn containing nothing but ashes. The old enemy is coming to the national capital to start its defence of one of cricket’s most coveted trophies.

Str8tlk - Mobile Advice for Teens Response to AMTA’s new kids’ website has been extremely positive. International bulletin Cellular News ran the story and local media has picked it up strongly.

Mobile phones to track missing people A MOBILE phone tracking system to find missing people will be available in Australia next month. Makers of the GoFinder say that the system is ideal for carers of those with dementia. The system works by placing a mobile phone on a loved one's belt. If the person disappears, relatives can gain access to the company's website to find their approximate location.