AMTA Snapshot Edition 151

AMTA strongly supports codes to avoid costly and cumbersome regulation Recent issues of Snapshot (Feb 6 2009) have focused on the regulatory environment faced by the industry including the opportunity to use co-regulatory arrangements via industry codes as defined under the Telecommunications Act (1997).

Mobile phones and cancer claims ? what does the World Health Organisation say? There is sometimes media speculation and stories suggesting a possible link between mobile phones and cancer, and this naturally can raise public concern. The mobile phone industry relies on the expert advice from national and international health agencies on mobile phone safety.

Eco-conscious councils called to enter the 2009 MobileMuster Local Government Awards MobileMuster, the official recycling program of the mobile phone industry, is calling on local councils who have helped promote and collect mobile phones for recycling to enter the 2009 MobileMuster Local Government Awards.

Mobile players appeal to G20 on regulation, spectrum Key players in the mobile industry have appealed to the leaders of the G20 countries, meeting in London this week, to facilitate their demands for additional mobile spectrum and a less intrusive regulatory regime.

ACMA outlines future challenges and priorities for spectrum management At the CommsDay Summit today, the Australian Communications and Media Authority released its revised Principles for Spectrum Management (the Principles) and the Five-year Spectrum Outlook 2009-2013 (the Spectrum Outlook), both of which will guide ACMA?s planning and management of radiofrequency spectrum.

Challenging year ahead for industry and consumers, says TIO The telecommunications industry?s consumer protections code of practice will be an important benchmark during the difficult conditions the industry faces over the next year. Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman Deirdre O?Donnell said that she expected that tighter economic conditions would lead to increased focus on the billing of phone and internet bills as people sought ways to cut their expenditure.

Social media and IP developments driving technology trends ACMA?s 2009 update of developments in technology, Trends in Communications and Media Technology, Applications and Use has identified five key developments that are placing pressure on media and communications regulation.