AMTA Snapshot Edition 147

Mobiles industry supports National Consumer Fraud Week to guard against scammers AMTA as part of National Consumer Fraud Week, has tips for people signing-up for l9 SMS premium services to beware of being tricked by scams. The Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Mobile Telecommunications Association (AMTA), Chris Althaus, said the industry was pleased to play its part in the National Consumer Fraud Week March 2-8, 2009.

RadComms09 ? ACMA?s third conference on spectrum management The Australian Communications and Media Authority?s third annual conference on the management of Australia?s radiofrequency spectrum, Radcomms09, will offer a unique opportunity to hear the latest developments, future trends and challenges in radiofrequency spectrum management.

Review of technical issues on early-warning texts is required The mobile telecommunications industry in Australia co-operated with the Victorian government and emergency services this week to assist in efforts to alert residents about possible threats to life and property.

Mobile InSite for news, reviews and science Mobile InSite is the MCF's electronic publication containing current news, issues and science within the world of mobile phone network deployment. It also provides information about new MCF and AMTA initiatives.

MobileMuster releases new Educational DVD ?Recycling Mobile Phones? Mobile phones and their accessories contain a multitude of plastics and metal. The new educational DVD from MobileMuster provides an overview of how these materials are recycled.

Young Australians relying on mobiles A new Australian Communications and Media Authority report, Australian household consumers? take-up and use of voice communication services, has confirmed that young Australians are increasingly choosing not to connect a fixed line phone when moving out of their parental home, relying instead on mobile technology.

Japan?s wallet phones point the way to the cashless society A 34-year-old engineer from Tokyo, Mr Ishizaka uses an electronic chip embedded in his phone to pay for food and drinks each day. "I started using the wallet phone service two years ago ? when I bought the phone, I became aware of the Osaifu Keitai function, so I started using it," he says. "I use it two or three times every day, in the morning and night, to pay for food. I buy meals, juice and magazines with it. "If every shop let you use a wallet phone, then I would use it all the time."

A digital future for Australia's regions The Rudd Government today announced an additional $60 million investment in regional communications, including for education, health and emergency services projects, greater access to satellite phones, and an expansion of computer and internet access for remote Indigenous communities.

Study into claims of mobile phone health risks Monash medical researcher Professor Malcolm Sim is part of a major new international study into mobile phone use and brain cancer risk in young people.

60 percent of the world now mobile connected Six in ten people around the world now have cell phone subscriptions, signalling that mobiles are the communications technology of choice particularly in poor countries, according to a UN report published on Monday, AAP reported this week.