US Trade Body to Audit Mobile Content Sellers

The USA's wireless trade body, the Wireless Association has launched an industry-wide SMS Common Short Code (CSC) Auditing and Monitoring Initiative to ensure that off-portal third party mobile content providers are in compliance with the industry's Consumer Best Practices (CBP) and are ultimately honoring the terms and conditions under which wireless subscribers purchase mobile products and services.

Today, there are more than 2,000 short code programs in process.

"As the demand for third party off-portal content skyrocketed, so too did the supply of content providers, some of whom were ill-prepared to properly serve their rapidly expanding client base," said CTIA - The Wireless Association President and CEO Steve Largent. "The wireless industry quickly recognized there was a problem and stepped-up to plate in a pro-active and voluntary manner to address it. The result is CTIA's monitoring and auditing initiative."

The wireless industry's existing CBP addresses important consumer concerns regarding the purchase of off-portal third party content such as; a subscriber's right to privacy, consistency of content with plan on file, advertising clarity, billing accuracy and subscription management functionality. However, reports of some content providers not complying with the industry's CBP has led to wireless subscribers receiving services they did not desire.

"It is important to note that the overwhelming majority of off-portal content providers are in compliance with the wireless industry's CBP," said Largent. "However, there is clearly a handful that is not; and it is through this program that we intend to address their noncompliance. When it comes to ensuring a positive consumer experience with off-portal third party content there is simply no room for compromise. We feel very strongly about compliance with the wireless CBP."

CTIA has chosen Telephia to administer and manage this multi-million dollar program.

Under the new initiative, all CSC programs will be audited to ensure they are in full compliance with the industry's CBP. Furthermore, programs will be regularly monitored to assess their on-going compliance with the CBP. At the center of the auditing and monitoring program is a data collection system whereby key information such as advertising and promotional materials, billing information and website screenshots will be electronically collected, stored and evaluated.

"The explosive growth of Common Short Codes has made it necessary for the industry to establish guidelines to ensure that consumers are receiving excellent products and services," said Sid Gorham, president and CEO, Telephia. "We're thrilled to be collaborating with CTIA on such an important consumer program. Telephia pioneered wireless measurement research, and we're dedicated to developing independent benchmark testing products that help providers improve their services and guarantees a healthy marketplace for consumers."

Posted to the site on 27th March 2007