Mobile Messaging Services

Introduction

In February 2008 the TCF endorsed the self-regulated code for Mobile Premium Rate Services. This code is structured on an activities basis for those activities which must be performed in relation to the Premium Messaging Services.

Since then, the New Zealand market for Premium Mobile Messaging Services has changed to include a growing development of non-Premium services.

While the current management of Mobile non-Premium Rate Services is working effectively, TCF members consider that customers, and the industry, would benefit from a self regulated industry code of conduct that would provide stronger and clearer guidelines as to the running of non-Premium services.

A Mobile Messaging Services working party was established in July 2009 to create a new code that covers both Mobile Premium and Non-Premium Messaging Services and to review the current Mobile Premium Messaging Services code to determine whether any other changes are required.

Working Party Members

Members of this working party include: Fronde, Mobile Messenger, Modica Group, Telecom, The Hyperfactory and Vodafone.

Draft Code

The draft Mobile Messaging Services Code has been designed to:

1. Broaden the previous Premium Mobile Messaging Services Code to include messaging services delivered at all price points;
2. Include new requirements for the operation and delivery of Standard Charge and non-chargeable (free) mobile messaging services;
3. Retain the majority of requirements from the Premium Messaging Services Code and apply these requirements to all Chargeable Messaging Services; and
4. Replace the current Premium Mobile Messaging Code with the new Mobile Messaging Services Code.

Consultation

The draft Code was issued for public consultation on 16 June 2010 and submissions closed 30 July 2010.

The working party is currently reviewing submissions received and determining what further changes to make to the draft Code. The working party expects to have completed work on a final version of the draft Code by November 2010.

Submissions Received

Submissions have been received from the following organisations:

• 2degrees
• Advertising Standards Authority (ASA)
• Commercial Approvals
• Department of Internal Affairs
• Ericsson Communications
• Lateral Profiles
• MediaWorks
• RuntheRed (Deborah Crowe)
• RuntheRed (Rachel Hatch)
• Sybase 365
• TDR
• Touchpoint
• TVNZ

Consultation Documents

1. Workshop Presentation July 2010
2. Introduction and Overview to the draft Mobile Messaging Services Code
3. Draft Mobile Messaging Services Code dated 3 June 2010
4. Quick Reference Guide to the draft Mobile Messaging Services Code

Related Information

• Mobile Messaging Services Project Scope - July 2009
• Mobile Premium Messaging Services Code - February 2008

Working Party Establishment

This working party was established in July 2009.

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