Mobile 365 has said that their U.S. MMS traffic increased 40% from Q1 to Q2, 2006.

Total U.S. MMS Mobile Originated (MO) traffic for the second quarter was 52,071,114 MO messages; total traffic for the first quarter was 34,405,598 MO messages. MMS mobile content includes video, photos, audio, and rich text such as wallpaper, ringtones, games, and applications.

Since launching inter-operator MMS in 2005, Mobile 365 has delivered more than 132,000,000 MMS messages in the U.S. The average month-over-month MMS growth for 2006 is 12%. In terms of MMS traffic, Mobile 365 says that the United States is the global frontrunner, based on quarterly statistics released by operators and as published by Informa Telecoms & Media. When combined with SMS, Mobile 365 delivers more than two billion personal messages a month.

“The success of Mobile 365′s inter-operator MMS traffic can be seen as a positive barometer for overall U.S. MMS uptake,” said Greg Dunn, Vice President, Americas, Mobile 365. “Despite a slight historical downturn in overall messaging during the summer months, our June MMS traffic grew, indicating organic growth that shows that subscribers are continuing to use MMS messaging as part of their everyday lives.”

More Room For Growth

“Mobile 365 continues to experience tremendous MMS growth,” said Gino Picasso, CEO of Mobile 365. “With the high adoption rate of MMS-capable handsets by U.S. consumers, we will continue to see explosive MMS traffic growth and the rise of new MMS-focused applications and services.”

Mobile 365′s new UK country manager Mark Weait commented that “The US is clearly enjoying dramatic growth in MMS traffic, and with MMS tariffs here becoming more affordable it is only a matter of time before UK MMS volumes increase, especially as consumers start to feel more comfortable in using this media rich application.” However price is only one factor affecting the take up of MMS. As well as usability issues, there is a widespread and often justified lack of consumer confidence in the relaibility of MMS to actually deliver messages.

US/Israel SMS

Given the current tension in the Middle East, a deal announced today between Mobile 365 and Israeli mobile operator Cellcom for the exchange text messages with mobile subscribers from all U.S. operators is very timely.

MUNICH. The mobile communications industry has introduced a Code of Practice for value-added services so that it can boost consumer confidence in new services. This voluntary self-undertaking includes industry-wide guidelines for text message, MMS and online value-added services.

The mobile communications providers’ initiative will promote consumer protection and enable price and product portfolio transparency. Mobile communications providers, service providers, content providers and mediators joined forces to develop their Code of Practice. The list of signatories and the Code itself are published on the participating organisations’ websites.

Prof. Dr. Jo Groebel is acting as trustee, and he will be monitoring adherence to the voluntary undertaking. He will be checking the signatories’ product and service portfolios, and eliminating organisations that don’t adhere to the Code from the list of partners.

The participating organisations have introduced standard basic rules for premium services. They are at liberty to decide whether their value-added services satisfy even higher standards. The rules will ensure transparent costs, standardised subscription to and unsubscription from services and customers will be informed when the costs of their subscription exceed a specific value.

Among other things, the participants have undertaken to adhere to the following rules:

Handshake procedure for subscription services. When a customer asks to subscribe to a service, he is sent a text message asking him to confirm the conclusion of a contract. The text message includes details on price and provider. The contract only enters into force when the subscriber has provided confirmation.

Standard key words for SMS/MMS subscriptions. Standard key words will be introduced for initiating and terminating services. For example, a customer can use START, GO, YES and OK to subscribe to a service and STOP to unsubscribe.

Welcome SMS/MMS for chat services. Chat service providers have undertaken to send a welcome SMS or MMS message containing the name of the content provider, a description of the service and the price. If the customer doesn’t use the chat service for seven consecutive days, the provider has to send another welcome message.

Price transparency. Providers offering premium SMS/MMS services have to specify the price up to two decimal places and, if appropriate, provide notification of any transport costs. The price is also displayed directly next to the shortcode number.

Termination of services. The mobile communications customer can unsubscribe from a service at any time. It is effective immediately in the case of event-based subscriptions and at the end of the agreed billing period in the case of budget subscriptions.

Bill warning. Premium SMS/MMS providers will send out a bill warning text message when the user exceeds a billing volume of EUR 50 per calendar month, per provider or per telephone number for the use of individual and chat services.

Consumer protection regulations also apply to ensure provider and cost transparency when Web-based services are provided.

The signatories have undertaken to introduce these rules by 1 October 2006 at the latest. You can find further information about the Code on the participants’ websites.

The following organisations are participants in the Code of Practice for premium SMS/mobile services and Web-based services:

Arvato Mobile GmbH
BoB mobile Deutschland GmbH
Carmunity.com GmbH
conVISUAL AG
debitel AG
Digame mobile GmbH
Drillisch AG
dtms Deutsche Telefon- und Marketing Services AG
E-Plus Mobilfunk GmbH & Co. KG
Ericsson Internet Payment eXchange AB
Jamba GmbH
Materna GmbH
MEGA Communications GmbH
Midray GmbH
Mindmatics AG
Minick AG
Mobilcom AG
Mobile 365 GmbH
Mobileview AG
Net-mobile AG
Netsize Deutschland GmbH
O2 (Germany) GmbH & Co. OHG
Talkline GmbH & Co. KG
T-Mobile International AG & Co. KG
Vodafone D2 GmbH
Wapme AG
WHATEVER MOBILE GmbH

Socceroo Lucas Neill today thanked the Australian public for its incredible support during the team’s campaign in Germany.

Despite the dramatic end to round two of the competition, Neill received more than 2000 HeroMessagesВ® from fans showing their support following the loss to Italy on Tuesday morning.

More than 31,000 HeroMessages were sent during the Socceroo’s campaign in Germany.

Describing the whole situation since the end of the game as overwhelming, Neill has been buoyed by the support from home.

“The last few days have been an emotional rollercoaster for me and the whole team,” Neill commented.

“To know that so many people have taken the time to personally send me a message of support has helped soften the blow of the result, but it will still take some time to get over.”

“It is great to know that despite the result, the whole country was behind us, and we truly appreciate every word of support we have received. Thank you Australia!”

Telstra spokesperson Warwick Ponder said that the support from the Australian fans had prompted Telstra to keep the HeroMessage service open.

“Due to an overwhelming response to Lucas and the rest of the team, Telstra has decided to extend the HeroMessage service for another week, allowing sports fans to show the Socceroos that they are behind them no matter what the result,” Mr Ponder said.

Football Federation Australia’s Head of Commercial Operations, John O’Sullivan thanked Telstra for their support.

“FFA understands that this is the first time Telstra has rolled out HeroMessage for a single sport and football is proud to have been chosen.”

HIGHLIGHT MESSAGES FOR LUCAS NEILL:

* Be proud Lucas! U didn’t deserve to go out like that. I’ve just cried for
an hour straight at seeing your face after the decision. Your my fav &
always will be
Sender: Natalie

* Dishonesty and unfair play is not ur burden to carry-strength, dignity,
a dedication is what makes u truly a remarkable and deserving player-NEVER
GIVE IN!!! xoxo
Sender: Arlene

* When you are tired and weary
and a long way from home
You can reach for Australia
and you shall not walk alone.
Sender: SD

* Lucas Neill seeing your face on the screen made by eyes brim with tears.
You’re a fantastic player nad have outstanding defence. I feel so much
sympathy for you
Sender: Joanna

* Don’t be sad for something you can’t control. You can’t control the mistakes
of others. You are our man of the series and our hero. Be proud, stand tall.
Sender: Donna

* LUCAS Keep your chin up – you’ve made a legend of yourself, and no Spanish
referee will ever remove the memory of your courage and class from our hearts.
Sender: David

* Lucas neill-how special r u?U have scored so many life long fans…Dont
worry bout that BAD call, u should b so proud of urself. u will b captain
sum day. kal
Sender: Kal

* Can’t sleep but sweetie – U R a CHAMP! U have done us all proud! Even tho
u wear number 2, U will always be my number ONE! Chin up & C U down under
soon xxxx
Sender: Kylie

* A few months ago I’d never heard of socceroos. Now behind tired eyes I’m checking out the competition. My husband is proud. I’m a Lucas groupie. Good luck.
Sender: Peri

Australians can continue to send the Socceroos a message by logging onto www.heromessage.telstra.com or sending their message by SMS/MMS to 0428 MY HERO (standard SMS / MMS rates apply).