The seminars follow industry comments on a discussion paper released early this year. Companies have been lobbying authorities to free up more numbers for SMS services so they can expand their range of products. They especially want four-to-six digit numbers to be made available for SMS in the belief it will encourage participation in SMS competitions and promotions, along with community participation in reality-TV events, such as voting off contestants in the show Big Brother.
"Topics to be raised at the seminars include the preferred number ranges and length of SMS numbers, whether there is a need to have number ranges for different categories of SMS, for example, freecall, standard and premium rate, and technical issues such as transitional arrangements and number portability," ACA member Allan Horsley said in a statement.
"The seminars will cover the dual usage of numbers for voice and SMS. Issues such as complaint handling, consumer protection and education campaigns will also be discussed," he added. Implementing dual-usage numbers for voice and SMS would enable SMS to be sent to landline-based services.
The seminars will be held in Sydney on February 7 at the Boulevard Hotel, 90 William Street from 2.30pm to 4.30pm and in Melbourne on February 10 at the ACA offices, 200 Queen Street from 9.30am to 11.30am.
People interested in attending the seminars should contact Susan Horne at the ACA on (03) 9963 6846.
