Telcos must put IDA measures in place by 2012

SINGAPORE - Mobile operators have until early next year to put in place measures to bar unsolicited chargeable text messages, otherwise known as premium rate services (PRS), the Infocomm Development Authority (IDA) of Singapore announced yesterday.

The premium rate services include mobile ring tones, quizzes, information or game downloads that can typically cost about S$3 for each message received.

From July, mobile operators have to obtain explicit consent from subscribers before providing any roaming service, which may currently be available by default to mobile subscribers. Secondly, consumers will soon be able to limit their data roaming usage in any single monthly billing cycle to no more than S$100.

IDA has directed operators to offer such an option for free, and this is expected to be implemented by the first quarter of next year.

IDA will also be reviewing its mobile Quality of Service framework, to improve the minimum service coverage in outdoor areas, in-building areas, and road and MRT tunnels.

The review is expected to be completed in the middle of this year.

ORIGINAL SOURCE