AMTA Snapshot Edition 39

New consumer safeguards for premium rate mobile phone services The mobile telecommunications industry has introduced new safeguards to give consumers clear cost information on premium mobile phone services and a “stop” command to unsubscribe, the Australian Mobile Telecommunications Association said earlier this week after the release of the Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman’s annual report.

ACMA announces AMTA’s membership of new Consumer Consultative Forum The Australian Communications and Media Authority announced this week that AMTA is one of three industry bodies represented on its new communications Consumer Consultative Forum (CCF). The new forum heightens dialogue between consumer representatives, industry bodies and regulators about communications issues affecting consumers.

Industry's Mobile Premium Services Scheme launched this week The new Mobile Premium Services Industry Scheme, which introduces a range of consumer safeguards, came into effect on October 29. Premium services that involve sending an SMS to a number starting with 191, 193, 194, 195, 196, 197 or 199 or accessing a mobile carrier 'portal' are regulated under rules devised by ACMA, set out in the Telecommunications Service Provider (Mobile Premium Services) Determination 2005 (No.1).

Instant messaging – the big thing in corporates IT hasn't yet achieved the ubiquity of email but instant messaging (IM) is proving popular in the workplace, the Australian newspaper reported this week. As of last year more than a billion instant messages daily were being sent by businesses, technology analyst IDC says. Gartner Research says usage is growing at 20 per cent annually.

Tests show 3G compatibility with hearing aids Most hearing aids users who can successfully use a normal fixed line telephone will be able to successfully use 3G mobile telephones (including those on Telstra's Next G TM network) without the need for an accessory in most situations, Australian Hearing has concluded after testing wideband CDMA technology.

Common interests shared at industry meeting This week AMTA convened a meeting with other industry groups to discuss issues of common interest and the need for greater co-ordination and awareness across industry sectors. Given the increasing potential for overlap on issues arising from convergent technologies, it is essential that organisations are aware of each other’s agendas to maximise cooperation and to minimise duplication and the potential for mixed messages to stakeholders.

Researchers in the field soon to study impact of mobile phone on work/family life Researchers in the joint Australian National University (ANU)-AMTA social research project expect to be in the field with a questionnaire by the middle of this month. The three-year project is studying the impact of mobile phones on work and family life.

MobileMuster rounds ‘em up for Recycling Week Integral Energy will be encouraging their 2500 employees to hand in their old mobiles for National Recycling Week from November 6-10. The week ahead also sees the re-launch of www.recyclingnearyou.com.au – an initiative of Planet Ark and funded by the Department of Environment and Heritage that will include all MobileMuster drop off points. Several local councils across the country will also be mustering mobile phones for National Recycling Week activities.

Bluetooth devices could double in '06, analyst says The EE Times in San Jose, California, reports that the number of systems shipped this year with Bluetooth could double the 250 million units sold in 2005 and hit 1.5 billion units by 2010, said a market watcher. But wireless USB (WUSB) could become a speed bump on Bluetooth's ramp, said IMS Research in its latest report on the wireless interface.