GSM Europe framework being implemented in all 27 countries of the EU

Mobile operators serving 550 million customers in the European Union are putting in place safeguards to ensure that children can safely access content on mobile phones as part of a programme coordinated by GSM Europe, the European arm of the GSM Association.

One year after the introduction of GSM Europe’s European Framework for Safer Mobile Use by Younger Teenagers and Children, self-regulatory codes of conduct are now in place in 21 countries of the European Union. GSM Europe expects similar codes to be introduced in the remaining six countries of the EU as 24 mobile operators and content providers covering all the Member States have signed the framework.

The framework sets out a number of measures, such as access control mechanisms, classification of commercial content and raising awareness and education, which operators should implement to ensure that children can safely access content on their mobile phones. “As mobile broadband networks proliferate enabling Europeans to easily access a rich selection of content via their handsets, our industry is moving in a timely fashion to ensure the necessary safeguards are in place to enable parents to have confidence in their children using these mobile services safely,” said Kaisu Karvala, Chair of GSM Europe.

Viviane Reding, EU Commissioner for Information Society and Media, added: “GSME and the mobile operators around Europe have done a lot of work so far in trying to establish national codes of conduct for safer mobile use by children and young people. I congratulate them on their good intentions. Mobile operators now have taken an important step towards making online technologies safer for children and enhancing transparency. In some countries, there is, however, still substantial work to be done to ensure that these principles are really put into practice. I will continue to follow this very closely because practical measures and concrete implementation are what really matter to children and their parents. I strongly encourage mobile operators to cooperate in this implementation process with non-profit organisations and other stakeholders engaged in child safety. I will come back to this issue this autumn to see whether further measures by the Commission are required.”

The mobile industry is calling on EU policy-makers to provide support in achieving the objectives of the framework, in particular, the development and distribution of educational material to teachers and parents. Europe’s mobile operators will also regularly review the national codes of conduct to ensure they remain fit for purpose.

Notes to Editors:

Since the framework was launched in February 2007:

• Nine additional companies have signed the framework, making a total of 24 industry signatories covering all 27 Member States of the EU;
• Codes of conduct have now been signed by mobile operators in Austria, Bulgaria, Hungary, Lithuania, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia and Spain- Member States where no codes of conduct were previously in place;
• Self-regulatory codes cover now cover 21 Member States of the EU;
• The industry signatories in these Member States serve around 550 million customers, which represents 96% of all EU mobile customers*.

About the GSMA:

The GSM Association (GSMA) is the global trade association representing more than 700 GSM mobile phone operators across 218 countries and territories of the world. In addition, more than 200 manufacturers and suppliers support the Association’s initiatives as key partners.

The primary goals of the GSMA are to ensure mobile phones and wireless services work globally and are easily accessible, enhancing their value to individual customers and national economies, while creating new business opportunities for operators and their suppliers. The Association’s members serve more than 2.5 billion customers – 85% of the world’s mobile phone users.

For more information please contact:

Mark Smith or David Pringle
GSMA
Email: [email protected]