The mobile telecommunications industry is responding to consumer concerns about premium services with a range of measures, including a new, soon to be released enforceable code as well as current practical tips to assist customers, AMTA Chief Executive Officer, Chris Althaus, told Channel Nine today.

He was responding to consumer group Choice’s call for an industry code of practice for mobile premium services such as ringtones, horoscopes, music videos and wallpapers to “deliver real consumer protection”.

Mr Althaus said the industry, through the Communications Alliance, is working on a new mobile premium services code that includes input from consumer groups, including Choice.

Once registered by the Australian Media and Communications Alliance (ACMA) the new code would be mandatory for the industry and enforceable with penalties for companies that were in breach of its provisions.

“Our Members carry premium services on their networks for third parties and we acknowledge our responsibility to help minimize any problems associated with such services,” he said. “We believe the positive aspects far outweigh the negative, however, we are committed to providing practical advice to help prevent misuse and promote safe, responsible and affordable use of mobile telecommunications.

“Prevention is the key to protecting consumers and we stress not to use premium services unless consumers have found the full costs involved – the cost per message, the frequency of the messages and the total cost.”

Mr Althaus told Channel Nine that the industry has developed a website www.19sms.com.au designed specifically to provide consumers with comprehensive, easy to use advice on mobile premium services.

“The bottom line is that customers need to be very wary of any unsolicited messages that have been sent to them without their consent; unidentified messages sent without clear identification of the sender; and unstoppable messages that don’t have a working ‘unsubscribe’ facility,” he said.

AMTA’s consumer tips on premium services can be viewed at www.amta.org.au

In response to Choice’s claims, Communications Alliance issued the following statement http://www.commsalliance.com.au/__data/page/21835/Choice_MPS_response_Media_Release.pdf