22nd February - Pannon, T-Mobile and Vodafone signed a common, self-regulating code of ethics to make mobile usage of early teens and children safer. Signing the document was preceeded by almost half a year joint preparation which in Hungary was coordinated by Vodafone.

The use of mobile telephones is widespread by now and ever more children and young teens have mobile phones also in Hungary. Terminals enjoying the highest popularity among youth are capable of using multimedia services and downloading versatile contents. Content primarily targeting adult audience is also available to children ñ the importance of this problem and the need to work out efficient solutions is paid special attention to both in Hungary and abroad.

Based on the recently signed code on self regulation all three mobile operators agree that protecting young users bears special importance. Therefore the companies grant their support to controlling access to adult content, creating campaigns, fighting illegal content reaching users through mobile phones and they provide for means to classify commercial content in a transparent way. The companies started the preparation of the code of ethics already last year, however the document was only signed now as details needed to be finalised. The three operators will review the code annually and they may amend it if necessary.

Mobile operators jointly with content providers have also established the code of ethics concerning premium rate services already in 2007, with the primary objective of providing accurate, comprehensive and correct information on such services and putting in place a unified regulation scheme.

Preceding the establishment of the Hungarian code of ethics promoting safer mobile use, in February 2007 the leading European mobile operators signed their own code - the European Frame Agreement - on protecting young mobile users. The Deutsche Telekom Group, Telenor and Vodafone Limited - the mother companies of the three Hungarian operators - were also signatories to the frame agreement. Early this week the international association of mobile operators (GSMA) launched another initiative to protect children in cooperation with large global operators.