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CTIA Launches CSC Auditing and Monitoring Initiative
CTIA officially launched an industry-wide common short code (CSC) auditing and monitoring initiative to ensure that off-portal third-party content providers comply with the industry’s consumer best practices (CBP) and honor the terms and conditions under which wireless subscribers purchase mobile products and services.
“As the demand for third-party off-portal content skyrocketed, so too did the supply of content providers, some of whom were ill-prepared to properly serve their rapidly expanding client base,” said Steve Largent, CTIA’s president and CEO.
The wireless industry’s existing CBP addresses consumer concerns regarding the purchase of off-portal third-party content, such as subscriber privacy, consistency of content with the plan on file, advertising clarity, billing accuracy and subscription management functionality. However, the failure of some content providers to comply with the industry’s CBP has led to wireless subscribers receiving services they did not desire.
“It is important to note that the overwhelming majority of off-portal content providers are in compliance with the wireless industry’s CBP,” said Largent. “However, there is clearly a handful that is not.”
CTIA selected Telephia to administer and manage this multimillion-dollar program. Telephia provides syndicated consumer research to the telecom and mobile media markets. Under the new initiative, all CSC programs will be audited to ensure they are in full compliance with the industry’s CBP and will be regularly monitored to assess their on-going compliance.
At the center of the auditing and monitoring program is a system to collect, store and evaluate electronically key information such as advertising and promotional materials, billing information and website screenshots.
Comments and feedback welcome, please email Jill Morgan at jmorgan@billingworld.com.
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