UK Regulation – the biggest change in a decade for mobile paid services?

The UK is open for business and the time for opportunity is now

Joanna Cox of aimm on the right of the image chairs a panel of experts to discuss changes in the UK regulation and new business opportunities at the Carrier Billing & Mobile Payments Summit

Experts discuss some of the biggest shifts to hit the UK mobile paid-for content and carrier billing services market in a decade.

 

Summary of Carrier Billing & Mobile Payment Summit Panel

UK Regulation – are you ready for the  biggest change in a decade? With Ofcom taking on the regulation of the interactive media, mobile and carrier billing services from next year, are businesses ready?

“The UK is very focused on regulation because we’ve had to be, and there has been lots of change in the last 5 years but most of it for the better.” The UK has now created an environment focused on consumer trust and longevity around mobile paid-for content and carrier billing services.

 We’re coming to the end of a long regulatory  journey and this is why it is a good time to join the UK market. We’re now in a place where we have collaboratively produced a market that is healthy and sustainable.

Consumer complaints have reduced by over 90% in the last few years due to regulatory changes AND those made by industry. The focus is now analysing how customers feel about and respond to 3rd party content and continually widening and improving the offering.

Upcoming changes in Regulation

With the change in regulators from the PSA ( who have been the incumbent for decades) to Ofcom, there will be some differences, but with such a strong base the market will continue to be a healthy environment in which to do business. Ofcom taking over the regulatory space is the right direction for industry. 

Risk Management and Due Diligence is a focus for Ofcom and all those in the value chain now take on this responsibility. However there is lots of guidance available on getting this right. aimm have run several workshops over the last two years for our members, making sure there is clear understanding of the requirements.

Globally the rest of the world can learn from the UK model. The UK is often where regulatory changes happen first but that means that now we have a commercial marketplace that will welcome and nurture quality business.

This new UK regulator and regulatory model offers new opportunities that will provide a stable foundation for many years to come. With a Statutory Instrument now coming into force there is stability in the regulation ahead, as this cannot be changed. This also removes any concerns about correctly interpreting regulatory codes.

What does this mean for the UK?

 What this means is that the UK is ripe for innovation and growth. Direct Carrier Billing (DCB) has grown every year, and this new regulatory framework will make it easier to understand how to enter the UK market. 

So what should merchants do to prepare? It is for important for new entrants to understand the regulation and to collaborate with others in the value chain through Trade Associations such as aimm, who are sharing knowledge, providing opportunities for collaboration and keeping communication open. Everyone from Network Operators, Intermediaries, Merchants and Anti-Fraud Providers are at the table ready to help.

There is support across industry for new merchants.  aimm will work with newcomers to be the bridge between the regulators and industry offering. We do this through our working groups, advice, best practice guides and documentation templates.

If there are businesses wanting to consider entering the UK, take the time to look at all the information that is available and we’ll help you get an understanding of the regulatory landscape. aimm has members from across the value chain and from within and outside of the UK.

There is nothing to be scared of. 

Google Ads Guidance

Industry are working together to create clarity around the expectations around Google Ad creation such as the content and quality of the adverts and the consumer journey. 

If you are new to the market this information allows you to get a head start as aimm and MCP Insight are working with members to create a live document – a handbook and guidance, so consumers are protected and businesses can make the best returns on their investments.. 

The guide will tackle the challenges faced when creating responsive banners, such as regarding the placement of key information and how it displays. Compliance and consumer protection are key here.

aimm’s new Google Ads Working Group is another example of industry collaboration which is merchant led, allowing the opportunity to react quickly when issues are identified, and be proactive in solving them. 

We want to help the responsive ads industry to understand how to address issues by sharing information and sharing experiences to improve the environment for Industry and as such, consumers. This will avoid longer term issues or unrequired regulatory management helping businesses to thrive. 

When the value chain contributes and participates in working groups and forums in this way, it creates great balance for industry and helps make regulation user friendly and easy to implement. 

Why come to the UK?

It is now a level playing field with a stable future for mobile and carrier billing services due to this new shift in regulation.

Globally new acquisitions are being turned off due to bad practice and poor regulatory practice. There is not the same concern in the UK with a new framework in place and an environment that supports teamwork.

This means that businesses are growing in the UK. Complaints have reached an all time low, and less complaints equals more repeat business which in turn brings further growth. The opportunity for carrier billing is unrivalled.

Joanna Cox of aimm summarised by stating “The UK has long been known for being robustly regulated but with this new era of regulation AND market collaboration, the time to enter our market is now.”

 

This panel at the Carrier Billing & Mobile Payments Summit was chaired by Joanna Cox, General Manager of aimm. The panel members were: David Ashman of MCP Insight, Victoria Hull of Dynamic Mobile Billing, Peter Garside of EE and Leon Dijksman of Sam Media

 

Watch the whole panel session from The Carrier Billing and Mobile Payments Summit 

 

aimm chairs panel of experts to discuss changes in UK regulation at Carrier Billing & Mobile Payments Summit in Amsterdam. Photo shows Joanna Cox of aimm beside panel banner

For more information please contact Joanna Cox at joanna@aimm.co

 

Did you catch aimm’s Panel session today?

 

This morning at the Carrier Billing & Mobile Payments Summit, Joanna Cox of aimm Chaired a panel to discuss: UK Regulation: Are you Ready for the Biggest Change in a Decade? We were be joined by David Ashman of MCP Insights Ltd, Victoria Hull, from Dynamic Mobile Billing, Peter Garside of EE and Léon Dijksman from Sam Media.

This session delved into the new regulatory model that is on the horizon in the UK. With Ofcom in the process of transitioning into regulatory power over the mobile and interactive media space, this will create change across the regulatory landscape for our industry.

aimm has been working hard to not only advise and guide members about this change with workshops, but regularly liaise with both the regulators about this transition. This knowledge sharing allows for the opportunity for growth in this market to continue while maximising consumer protection.

With updates from Ofcom expected in the next couple of months; aimm is gearing up for the next round of member meetings to share our knowledge and best practice, so that all our members can enter this next regulatory phase compliant.

During the Panel session the team also discussed best practice for effective Responsive Display Ad Marketing. This is a hot topic right now for many businesses, and the focus for one of our new Working Groups at aimm.

If you are not yet a member of aimm, and want to find out more about what is required to be compliant, as well as find new opportunities for growth, get in touch about membership and joining our mailing list for our updates.

aimm is speaking at the Carrier Billing Summit next month

Joanna Cox General Manager of aimm is standing at a podium on a stage speaking at a conference. aimm will be speaking twice at the Carrier  Billing and Mobile Payments Summit in September

 

COME AND JOIN AIMM AT THE GLOBAL CARRIER BILLING AND MOBILE PAYMENTS SUMMIT THIS SEPTEMBER

The Global Carrier Billing & Mobile Payments Summit returns to Amsterdam on the 17th and 18th September.

Topics covering payment- and cyber security, regulation, digital marketing and sustainable development means GCB&MPS is the meeting place for mobile and Interactive media businesses  looking to establish, grow or showcase their Carrier Billing- and Payments offering.

aimm will be holding two sessions featuring Joanna Cox our General Manager so make sure you come and find us:

Global regulation and Associations – Consumer Protection & Business Growth  (17th at 12:35pm)

Join us representatives from Regulators and instrumental Industry Associations (MEF, aimm, AF2M) explore the delicate balance between consumer protection and business growth in the paid-for mobile services industry. This session will delve into regulatory frameworks that safeguard consumers while fostering innovation and competitiveness among businesses. Panellists will share their perspectives on key challenges in their respective markets and best practices for achieving this balance.

 

UK regulatory spotlight – Are You Ready For The Biggest Change in a Decade?  The UK is open for business and the time for opportunity is now (18th at 10:35am)

Our experts discuss some of the biggest shifts to hit the UK mobile paid-for content/services market in a decade.

-The PSA is being absorbed into Ofcom and a new regulatory model is on the horizon in the UK. Learn how to operate compliantly and successfully under the new regime.

-Industry stakeholders have collaborated under the aimm banner, to draft a Best Practice Guideline for effective Responsive Display Ad Marketing. 

 

This event brings together more than 180 industry professionals to share knowledge, lessons and insights needed to navigate and thrive in this exciting market.

As a supporting Association of GCB&MPS aimm is pleased to be able to offer our members a 10% discount on their tickets. Simply use code: GCBMPS10 at the checkout when purchasing tickets.

 

 

If you want to learn more about this event visit our Events Calendar

 

 

New aimm Board announced

We are pleased to announce our new 2024 aimm Board.

This year we had 3 Board members who had reached their term from Donr, ITV and sb7.

We are pleased that our members from both Donr and ITV have decided to restand and will continue on in their positions on the Board. We are thrilled that a new member from sb7 has decided to take up the mantle going forwards and will be joining the Board in April. We are also happy that BBC Children in Need will also continue to represent the charity sector at the Board meetings.

We are pleased to continue working with our Board members from across the value chain, who have been tireless in their support of aimm, and continue to drive our mission and focus forward.

Our next Board meeting will be in mid-April where we will have the opportunity to welcome our new members and look at our focus for the coming year.

Learn more about the aimm Board and our Board members and the role they play in aimm.

AIMM & MEF Autumn Regulation Update

aimm is pleased to share this Autumn UK Regulatory Update for the Interactive Media & Micropayments Industries, in association with MEF.

To learn more about the current regulatory landscape and the importance of having your say, join Joanna Cox General Manager from AIMM and Ross Flynn Project Manager at MEF for this video update below:

Both aimm and MEF are trade bodies based in the UK that work in the mobile and interactive media space to provide support, guidance and the opportunity for growth for these industries.