Snapshot Edition 17

Scientific experts deliver safety verdict on mobile phones and base stations People living and working near mobile phone base stations can be very confident that there are no health risks, AMTA CEO Chris Althaus told Channel 9’s A Current Affair (ACA). Research from around the world, including the World Health Organisation, has shown that there is no substantiated evidence of health effects from mobile phones or their base stations, he said. ACA's story will run sometime next week.

Standard Forms of Agreement As reported previously, ACMA approved changes to the Standard Form of Agreement Determination at the end of April. This decision came after extensive input from AMTA through the Policy Steering and Strategy Committee. On May 31, ACMA formally announced the introduction of the Telecommunications (Standard Form of Agreement) Amendment Determination 2006.

AMTA provides submission to OPC on the Review of Credit Provided Determinations. AMTA has provided a short submission to the Office of the Privacy Commissioner (OPC) on the Review of Credit Provided Determinations. In this submission AMTA noted that access to the credit reporting system is considered essential to the efficient operation of AMTA’s telecommunication provider members’ businesses.

Survey measures takeup and knowledge of 3G services A new survey has found that 66% of respondents purchased mobile content in the past 12 months - up from 50% last year. The survey, the Australian Mobile Phone Lifestyle Index by the Australian Interactive Media Industry Association, sought to gauge the market impact and understanding of 3G services. The survey says women (73%) were significantly more likely than men (27%) to download content.

World Environment Day – a time to act. Recycle your old mobiles Are you one of the 67 percent of mobile phone users who have one or more mobile phones at home not being used? Don’t let them go to waste or end up in the bin – make a difference this World Environment Day on Monday, June 5, 2006, and hand ‘em in for recycling at your local Telstra Shop, Optus World, Vodafone store and 3 Shop. Telstra is calling on their staff, family and friends to do their bit for World Environment Day. Staff are being encouraged to drop off their old mobiles in their 6 coroporate offices in Sydney and Melbourne. Telstra has also invited local businesses to empty out their drawers, filing cabinets and briefcases and join them in their World Environment Day muster.

Mobilemuster to feature at Adelaide ecolivingexpo MobileMuster has joined with this year’s ecolivingexpo to promote and collect mobile phones for recycling. The expo, which showcases products and services that promote environmental responsibility and contribute to a sustainable future through design, construction and operation, is being held at the Royal Adelaide Showground on 3rd & 4th of June.

Global Mobile Telephony Growth Mobile telephony revenues will surpass fixed telephony for the first time this year according to a recent global study. The survey, conducted by Pyramid Research, also predicts the number of global subscribers at the end of 2006 will reach 2.6 billion.

VoIP body merges with ACIF The Australian Communications Industry Forum (ACIF) this week announced it had finalised arrangements for the Australian Voice over IP Association (AVOIPA) to merge under the ACIF banner.