The Australian Communications and Media Authority has welcomed the release of the Internet Industry Association’s (IIA) draft industry code of practice for online and mobile content services for public and industry consultation.

AMTA Members have participated in the new code's development and will work within the IIA process to further evaluate the most appropriate approaches to mobile content regulation under the new code and the necessary linkages between the code and the Mobile Premium Services Industry Scheme, which covers important consumer issues.

The continued strong growth in mobile broadband applications, services and useage further underlines the convergence trend which now sees regulatory approaches like the IIA code being designed to include issues related to mobile telecommunications.   

ACMA encourages interested parties to review the draft code and submit their views to the IIA by 15 May 2008. The draft code is available from the IIA’s website at www.iia.net.au/images/content services code - public consultation.pdf

Following consultation and consideration of comments, the Internet Industry Association is expected to submit the code to ACMA for registration, which will give the code legal force. Before registering the code, ACMA will need to determine that there has been adequate public and industry consultation, that the code provides appropriate community safeguards in relation to online and mobile content, and that the code specifies how providers of commercial online and mobile content will conform to Australia’s content classification scheme.

After registration, the code will complement new rules, introduced by legislation that took effect in January of this year, that regulate converged online and mobile content for the purpose of promoting the safety of users (primarily children) using these content services.