New mobile code, old behaviours

An improved code for mobile premium services comes into force in June. It's a step forward in a sector that still has some questionable practises.

Since 2009 providers of premium mobile content (via a 19 number) have had to abide by regulations contained in the Mobile Premium Services Code. The obligations apply equally to content providers, aggregators and carriage service providers.

The code has now been tightened a little, with the new version coming into force from the beginning of June this year. One of the major changes is the introduction of compliance reporting by carriage service providers — this aggregated data will enable the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) to keep an eye on areas of particular concern.

Even though complaints in this space have dropped 90 per cent over recent years, you don't have to go too far to find a company in breach. As you'll hear on this week's Twisted Wire, looking up numbers isn't always that easy and there are still operators slow to respond to help requests. You'll hear about a horoscope site and a quiz site where most of the MPS code is followed, but you still have to wonder whether about the ethics of their approach to business. (Note, an earlier version of this story implied that the company Infodial was in breach of the code, but this is not necessarily the case.)

Guests on this week's program include:

• Richard Fraser, executive manager, security, safety and e-education at the ACMA
• Adrian Lawrence, partner at law firm Baker & Mckenzie
• Visa Thangavelu, project manager at the Communications Alliance.

Tell us your experiences. Have you had a poor experience using mobile premium services, either as a customer or as an industry partner? Call the Twisted Wire feedback line on (02) 9304 5198.

Running time: 30 minutes, 35 seconds