AMTA Snapshot edition 94

Record handset numbers shipped to Australia in 2007 GPS navigation, CDMA migration and a buoyant economy were all market factors helping to drive a record of more than 9 million mobile phone handset shipments to Australia in 2007. The Informark industry figures released this week show that there were 9,283,002 mobile phone handset shipments during calendar 2007. This is a record level, up 6.3% on 2006’s shipments of 8,735,090.

Labels of satchels? That is the mailing option for MobileMuster In an effort to boost collections and to make recycling more accessible to the Australian community, especially Regional Australia, MobileMuster has initiated a six-month free-post collection trial to the end of June 2008.

Communications Minister’s staff appointments and departmental organisation chart The Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, Senator Stephen Conroy, has confirmed senior staff appointments in his Office. Also, please find attached a link to the Department’s organisation chart.

Three-way partnership drives safety message during busy holiday season AMTA’s joint safe driving Christmas message received widespread media coverage during the festive driving season with its message of avoiding driver distractions and only using hands-free mobile phones when road conditions are safe and the situation is appropriate.

Mobile telecommunications industry’s track record on providing affordable access The mobile telecommunications industry has introduced a range of tools to help consumers to gain access to mobile phone services in a financially responsible manner, the Chief Executive Officer of AMTA, Chris Althaus, said this week.

Make it your New Year’s Resolution to do some good for the environment and win great prizes To celebrate the New Year, MobileMuster is encouraging all mobile phone retailers to send in mobile phones, batteries, chargers and accessories for recycling in January by offering some great prizes.

Location Based Services – the next big thing? 2008 is the year, says expert A report by a US technology research company suggests that the provision of Location Based Services (LBS) will be the next big thing in terms of significant revenue generation if mobile telecommunications companies grab the opportunity and jump on board the gravy train.

A tech-savvy pizza that is only an SMS away Pizza Hut has deployed a mobile ordering system that ratchets up the competition in the industry's battle to sell more pizzas using the latest technology.

Health policy update The Wireless Communications Health Policy Update (HPU), a joint publication of the Mobile Manufacturers Forum and the GSM Association (GSMA). HPU provides updates on and links to recent developments concerning radiofrequency (RF) and wireless communications. It can be viewed here

Key policy issues for the Rudd government outlined in new Parliamentary briefing book The Parliamentary Library has released a Briefing Book to assist Senators and Members to prepare for significant issues that are expected to arise in the early months of the 42nd Parliament, which begins sittings next month. It presents a brief introduction to areas of key public policy concern, outlines the context for those concerns and discusses possible new policy and legislative directions.