News

• SMS a killer app at 20; irrelevant at 25?

  The first SMS-capable mobile phones were approved for sale in Europe 20 years ago this month. By any measure, SMS has become a huge success, at least for the telephone companies, with more than 6 trillion SMS messages sent worldwide in 2010, generating more than $110 billion in revenue. But the future may not be anywhere near as bright because of increasing use of "free" Internet-based services such as Facebook, Apple's iMessage and WhatsApp.com.

• Mobile Premium Services Code targets misleading SMS adverts

  The introduction of the Communications Alliance’s Mobile Premium Services (MPS) Code is intended to eliminate misleading premium rate SMS and MMS service advertisements.

• Nokia to pay $55k for spam SMS

  Nokia has copped a $55,000 wrist-slapping from the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA), accepting an enforceable undertaking for infringing the Spam Act 2003.

• Telstra boosts text and data quotas

  Australian ISP Telstra (ASX:TLS) has pumped up its prepaid text and data quotas following demand from customers, but has increased call connection fees and SMS costs.

• Mobile banking migration hits speed bumps

  The lack of competition among the big four banks is slowing the development of mobile banking in Australia, IT experts say.

• Server at fault for Telstra SMS outage

  Telstra (ASX:TLS) has blamed a server failure for intermittent issues with SMS messaging and some phone reception during a three-hour window on Wednesday night.

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  GPS device to free dementia sufferers

  A personal tracking device has been developed enabling Dementia sufferers more freedom while allowing their carers to know their whereabouts at all times.

• SMS lotto scam hits WA

  West Australians have been alerted about a Powerball lottery scam circulating through mobile phone text messages.

• MGM Wireless maintains FY11 guidance

  School communications services company, MGM Wireless (ASX:MWR), has revealed it is on track to achieving profit for the full year on par with the $200,000 it took in during FY10.

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  Perth cafe launches smartphone ordering app

  Perth cafe, Mooba, has launched a smartphone app allowing customers to pre-order customised coffees.

• MobileActive signs third Aust carrier deal

  Mobile content and services company, MobileActive (ASX:WBA), has secured the direct carrier agreement it was negotiating with the last of Australia's three major mobile operators.

• SMS and MMS to deliver government services

  The Queensland Government is to source SMS and MMS services as part of a new common use whole-of-government supply strategy.

• Hearing impaired cut off during Qld floods

  Hearing impaired people were unable to call a special emergency phone service at the height of the Queensland floods, a report has found.

• MGM Wireless beats own profit forecast

  School SMS services provider MGM Wireless (ASX:MWR) has reported a better-than-expected 1H profit of $45,000.

• MGM Wireless wins global patent

  School communications services provider MGM Wireless (ASX:MWR) has revealed it has secured a patent for the technology behind its School News Channel messaging platform.