AMTA Snapshot Edition 80

AMTA working with schools and parents on safe and responsible use of mobile phones As part of a broader initiative to increase the awareness of and engagement with the education system, AMTA is working with parents and teachers to assist them with technical input and practical guidance to tackle cyber bullying in schools, AMTA Chief Executive Officer, Chris Althaus, told a meeting of teachers, parents and education administrators this week.

AMTA and MCF address Victorian Council CEOs Last night, AMTA CEO Chris Althaus and the Mobile Carriers Forum Program Manager Matt Evans addressed the Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV) CEO Forum in Melbourne. This annual Forum covers issues of commonality for the local government and attracts 80% of Victorian Council Chief Executive officers.

Existing planning laws assist 20 million mobile phone subscribers Existing Federal and State planning laws provide for the mobile telecommunications needs of 20 million subscribers and are balanced against local community issues, the Mobile Carriers Forum said today in response to a Private Members Bill in Parliament.

Recycle your old mobiles at the Telco Regatta and help raise funds for the Salvos At this year’s Annual Telco Regatta participants are being encouraged to recycle their old phones to help raise funds for the Salvation Army’s youth support network Oasis.

Interception and Access Bill passes the Senate The Telecommunications (Interception and Access) Amendment Bill passed the Senate last night without amendments. It is expected to receive Royal Assent early next week which causes Schedule 2 (which includes the technology testing regime and new offences available for TI warrants) to come into force.

Australians have a voracious appetite for telecommunications Telecommunications are embedded in the lives of the vast majority of Australians, with nearly 90 per cent having both a fixed landline and mobile phone and 80 per cent of households having access to the Internet, mostly through broadband.

US mobile operators face important choices in capturing growth opportunities through mobile payments Cellular-News reports that US mobile operators are at a crossroads: Mobile phones have become necessary items for most Americans, and non-voice services make up a growing share of operators' average revenue per user (ARPU).

Operators face second 3G auction The Financial Times in the UK reports that Ofcom is proposing to take some of the radio spectrum away from mobile operators Vodafone and O2, and sell it to competitors in a new 3G licence auction.