The Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, Senator Stephen Conroy, has flagged new measures “to work in parallel” with the new Mobile Premium Services Industry Code to ensure consumers are protected.

“A new draft industry code is now available for consultation and I encourage consumers, industry bodies, and other interested parties to respond and contribute to the future mobile premium services regulatory framework,” he said on Tuesday in a statement.

“Industry should also be congratulated for the launch of the new 19SMS (www.19sms.com.au) web site, which aims to help consumers make informed choices about premium mobile services.”

AMTA CEO Chris Althaus said the information developed by the industry was an important step in responding to the new challenges being presented by the evolving market for mobile services. He also noted the inherent flexibility of the code-based system, which was an important feature given the speed of market and technology changes in the mobile telecommunications sector.

However, Senator Conroy in Question Time yesterday said the Government was “extremely concerned” about the rising complaints to the TIO about mobile services.

“To this end, I have asked my Department to commence exploring measures to work in parallel with the new Mobile Premium Services Industry Code to ensure consumers are protected,” he said.

The Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman received nearly 14,000 complaints about mobile premium services during 2007/08.

“Companies in this area need to lift their game and I welcome their efforts to do this with the new mobile premium services consumer protection code,” Senator Conroy said.

The draft code, released by the Australian Communications and Media Authority, was developed by the industry body Communications Alliance, in consultation with consumer groups and other key stakeholders.

The draft code is available from the Communications Alliance web site (www.commsalliance.com.au) together with advice on how to lodge a submission. The

closing date for submissions is Friday 12 December.

Opposition Communications spokesman, Senator Nick Minchin, said carriers, content providers and aggregators have worked together with consumers and the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) to develop the new code.

“The industry is to be commended for its positive and proactive response to the concerns raised by the Ombudsman and I would encourage stakeholders to comment on the new code,” he said.

“Mobile Premium Services are important to both industry and consumers and any initiatives that lift standards and better inform users are welcome, however, ongoing vigilance is required to ensure consumers’ interests are protected.”

Consumer group Choice said it was hopeful that the consultation process would lead to more consumer protection in this area.

Choice Director, Campaign and Policy, Gordon Renouf, said the draft industry code was a step in the right direction, however, it had not addressed many significant problems faced by consumers.

“At a glance the draft MPS industry code contains a number of welcome improvements…However, one of the glaring oversights is that there is no system for monitoring code compliance. Telcos, who take about one-third of the revenue from mobile premium services, need to take responsibility to ensure that all parts of the industry comply with the code,” he said.