The mobile telecommunications industry is committed to providing customers of SMS/MMS premium services with information to assist them achieve affordable and responsible use of ringtones, games, music, sport and a range of other services.

AMTA Chief Executive Officer, Chris Althaus, told ABC Radio in Central West, New South Wales, that the industry was very aware of complaints about premium services, particularly young people, who had run up unexpectedly high bills, believing they were signing up to a one-off ringtone only to find that they had subscribed to an ongoing service.

“Sometimes customers can unintentionally sign up to a subscription service believing it is a one off, sometimes advertising of the service can be unclear and people don’t read the fine print,” he said.

“Whatever the cause, the resulting complaints are in no-one’s interests – not the customer and certainly not the industry’s.

“Our industry realizes it has an obligation to assist customers to get the services they expect without unwanted surprises. We have produced new consumer tips and the wider industry has developed a new website informing customers to check what they are purchasing and the cost before they opt-in.

“Is it a subscription service or a one-off? You must check the terms and conditions.

“There is a role for parents with children on this issue. They need to sit down with their children and explore with them the terms and conditions of any offer before subscribing.”

Mr Althaus said if people wanted to stop their premium service they could text the word “Stop” to the 19 number of the service and they should receive a free confirmation message confirming that they have unsubscribed.

He told the ABC that people can find out more about premium services by going to www.19SMS.com.au or going to AMTA’s website www.amta.org.au and looking at Consumer Tips.