Self-regulation of content
on mobiles
In January 2004, the UK mobile operators published a code of practice for
the self-regulation of new forms of content on mobiles. Having conducted a formal review and updated version was published on 10th June 2009
Download
a PDF version of the Code (v2)
In accordance with the code, commercial content that is sold through a mobile phone (such as a video clip) has to be self-classified by the content provider. Content that is classified as 18 is only made available to customers that, through age verification, have demonstrated to the mobile operator that they are at least 18 years old.
The content provider classifies content as either 18 or 'not classified' in accordance with a framework prepared by the Independent Mobile Classification Body ("IMCB").
If a customer is not satisfied with the way a piece of content has been classified, he or she should first take the issue up with his or her mobile operator. A customer can only take a complaint to the IMCB once the issue has been investigated by the mobile operator.
Principles of Good Practice for marketing mobile broadband services
In June 2009, the UK’s mobile operators O2, Orange, T-Mobile, Vodafone and 3, together with Virgin Mobile, the UK’s largest virtual mobile network operator, published Principles of Good Practice for marketing mobile broadband services.
Mobile broadband (i.e a mobile data service providing Internet access via a 3G modem) has grown very rapidly in the last year.
Even so, this is still a new market, set to grow much further. It is important that customers have the information they need to make an informed purchase and that staff are able to help customers with any queries they may have. The mobile operators, under the auspices of the Mobile Broadband Group (MBG), have agreed these principles in order to promote customer understanding and underpin further solid growth of mobile broadband. The guidelines include the provision of information on coverage, the factors that impact download speeds, and pricing.
Download
a version
of the Code
Location
services
In September 2004, an industry working group, led by the MBG, published a
Code of Practice for the use of mobile phone technology for passive location
services in the UK.
Download
a PDF version of the Code summary
Download
a PDF version of full Code (updated on 1st October 2006)
Location Service Providers wishing to apply to operate a location service can do so on a standard form which is available here. This version was published in November 2008.
Illegal Content
All members of the MBG are subscribers to the Internet Watch Foundation (IWF).
The IWF is the only authorised organisation in the UK which provides an Internet hotline for the public to report instances of potentially illegal content on-line.
The IWF work in partnership with the UK Internet Industry, police services and government departments such as the Home Office and the Department of Trade and Industry to influence initiatives and programmes developed to combat online abuse.
Through the hotline reporting system, the IWF helps service providers to combat abuse of their services by operating a notice and take down service which alerts them to any illegal content found on their system. Any relevant information is also reported to the police.
Mobile users with WAP enabled phones can submit reports to the hotline at:
Mobile
phones and health
The five mobile network operators fund the Mobile Operators Association, which
represents the operators on radio frequency health and planning issues in
the UK. www.mobilemastinfo.com
Street crime
The mobile network operators participate in Micaf, an organisation set up
by the mobile industry to tackle the issue of mobile phone theft. www.micaf.co.uk
