19 SMS Website
www.19sms.com.au provides a comprehensive consumer guide to Mobile Premium Services (MPS) including an explanation of what Mobile Premium Services are; how to access them; how to STOP them; useful links and a terminology guide; and the 19 Service Finder – a search tool that allows consumers to enter the short code of a service and find detailed information, including the name of the provider, an overview of the specific campaign, billing charges and a Helpline phone number.
Current Arrangements
The Mobile Premium Services Code (C637:2009) was registered by the ACMA under the Telecommunications Act (1997) on 14 May 2009 and took effect on 1 July 2009. The Code replaced the MPSI Scheme, which along with the Telecommunications Service Provider (Mobile Premium Services) Determination 2005 was repealed by the ACMA on 1 July 2009. The Code applies to carriage service providers, aggregators and content providers and its objective is to establish appropriate community safeguards and customer service requirements for Mobile Premium Services.
Mobile Premium Services Register
Under the Mobile Premium Services Code (C637:2009) all suppliers of Mobile Premium Services, prior to engaging in the provision of such services in Australia, are required to submit company details to the Mobile Premium Services Industry Register managed by Communications Alliance. The Code also stipulates that a condition of any contractual agreement between suppliers is that both parties must have submitted their details to the Register. Online access to the MPS Register is restricted to suppliers of Mobile Premium Services for the purpose of entering new company details or for the verification of another supplier’s registration status, and government regulators. Please contact Communications Alliance if you believe you should have access to the Register but do not have the necessary login details or permission.
If you want to add an organisation to the MPS Register then please use the New MPS Supplier form. Once on the Register you will be able to verify data on the Register for other Suppliers with whom you may want to do business.
C637:2009 Mobile Premium Services (MPS) Code
C637:2009 (.pdf, 512kb)
This Code contains service provider rules about:
- advertising of mobile premium services
- providing information about the service to customers
- supplying a service
- complaint handling procedures
- unsubscribe and opt out mechanisms
Explanatory Statement
Explanatory Statement (.pdf, 72 KB)
This document provides background information about the development of the MPS Code.
Summary of Major Inclusions
Link to Document (.pdf, 316 KB)
This document provides a summary of major inclusions in the MPS Code in the delivery of mobile premium services.
MPS Message Flow Diagram
Link to Diagram (.pdf, 632 KB)
This diagram provides a visual representation of the Mobile Premium Service message flow, capturing the various touch points where genuine consent is required from the consumer.
G638:2009 Mobile Premium Services Industry Guideline
This Guideline accompanies the Mobile Premium Services Code C637:2009 (the Code).
The Guideline is designed to:
- assist in interpreting the Code Rules; and
- provide examples of how a Supplier may choose to comply with the Rules.
G639:2009 Mobile Premium Services Mandatory Information Industry Guideline
This Guideline accompanies the Mobile Premium Services Code C637:2009 (the Code).
The Guideline is designed to assist providers in interpreting the Code rules relating to the:
- Mobile Premium Services Register and its scope;
- 19 Service Finder and its scope; and
- provision of customer expenditure management information.
Associated Code
Previous Arrangements
Prior to the registration of the Mobile Premium Services Code (C637:2009) (the Code), certain mobile premium services were regulated in Australia under the Telecommunications Service Provider (Mobile Premium Services) Determination 2005 (the Determination).
The Determination provided for the development of self-regulatory industry schemes for approval by ACMA. The Mobile Premium Services Industry Scheme (MPSI Scheme) was approved by ACMA in 2006 and thereafter constituted the approved self-regulatory scheme for the purposes of the Determination. The MPSI Scheme was accompanied by an associated Guideline (the MPSI Guideline). The Determination also provided for a default scheme applicable to non-members of the MPSI Scheme (the Default Scheme).
In 2007, the Communications Legislation Amendment (Content Services) Act 2007 (Cth) (the Content Services Amendment) was passed. The Content Services Amendment, amongst other things, amended the Broadcasting Services Act 1992 (Cth) to create a new Schedule 7 to regulate content services delivered via carriage service.
Schedule 7 commenced on 20 January 2008. The Determination was also amended with effect from 20 January 2008.
Schedule 7 provided that bodies or associations representing sections of the content industry may develop industry codes for registration by ACMA. The Internet Industry Code of Practice – Content Services Code (the Content Services Code) was registered by ACMA on 16 July 2008.
From 1 July 2009 the MPSI Scheme and MPSI Guideline no longer had effect. The Determination was repealed with effect from 1 July 2009.
Useful Links
Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA)
Further information about mobile premium services can be found from ACMA’s website.
Information on how mobile chat service providers can minimise the risk of mobile chat services being used to facilitate illegal contact between children and adults can be accessed in the ACMA’s Guide to the Implementation of Safety Measures in Mobile Chat Services.
Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC)
Guidance relating to the advertising of mobile premium services can be found at the ACCC’s website.
Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman (TIO)
The Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman is a free and independent alternative dispute resolution scheme for small business and residential consumers who have an unresolved complaint about their telephone or Internet service.
INMS
INMS (Industry Numbers Management Services Ltd.) allocates short-digit Premium Rate (191-199) numbers and 13/1300/1800 numbers on behalf of the Australian Communications and Media Authority to registered Carriage Service Providers (CSPs). The INMS system also facilitates the portability of 13/1300/1800 telephone services and the movement of Premium Rate (191-199) numbers.
SpamMATTERS
ACMA has implemented the SpamMATTERS reporting and forensic analysis system to help fight spam. If you have problems with mobile phone Spam or other types of Spam use the SpamMATTERS reporting system.
SCAMwatch provides detailed information and warnings on scams.
Consumers
Members of the general public should go to www.19sms.com.au to access a comprehensive suite of information about mobile premium services, including:
- an explanation of how mobile premium services work;
- how to access them;
- how to STOP them;
- useful industry, consumer and regulator links; and
- a 19 Service Finder tool which enables identification of the company supplying your mobile premium service.