Communicate

Optus And Telstra Checking Premium SMS Ads

By Angus Kidman on November 10, 2009 at 8:30 AM

Back in June, the ACCC started cracking down on premium SMS providers (premium in this context usually means ‘overpriced’ and ‘waste of money’). Telstra and Optus are now doing their part by funding a service to check if premium SMS providers live up to their claims.

Both Optus and Telstra are paying WMC Global to check local advertising for premium services and to test those services to make sure the ads and offerings comply with both their individual carrier codes and with the general Mobile Premium Services Code. It’s not quite as effective as an outright ban, but realistically that won’t happen, and at least it might shoot down the dodgiest providers faster. As ever, if you’re trying to track down an unknown premium SMS number on your bill, 19 SMS can be useful.

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Comments

  • ThePengwin
    November 10, 2009 at 10:11 AM

    Just outright ban them. They are terrible. When those stupid ads come on about them i time myself in finding the real cost in the crap text thats barely readable.

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