Come and join us in Amsterdam at the Global Carrier Billing Summit

The Global Carrier Billing & Mobile Payment Summit 2025, is taking place on September 9-10 in Amsterdam.

aimm are supporting the Global Carrier Billing & Mobile Payments Summit

It will bring together operators, advertisers, content providers and regulators to explore the theme From Reach to Revenue Aligning Operators, Advertisers and Content Providers.

 

“From Reach to Revenue: Aligning Operators, Advertisers and Content Providers for the Next Chapter of Mobile Payments” sets the tone for the 2025 edition of the Global Carrier Billing & Mobile Payments Summit. The event brings together mobile network operators, media buyers, content providers, regulators, and technology platforms to explore the strategies, partnerships, and innovations shaping the future of carrier billing.

We are pleased to announce that not only are AIMM a supporting Association for the Summit, but Joanna Cox, General Manager of AIMM will be speaking on two expert panels at the event on the 10th September. Learn more about these expert sessions, so you don’t miss out.

 

Joanna Cox - General Manager of aimm will be speaking on panels over both days at the Global Carrier Billing and Mobile Payments Summit 2025

 

We have now secured an exclusive discount for Members! If you are going to book your tickets make sure you contact the aimm team for your discount code first!

 

Representatives from Mobile Network Operators throughout the UK, Europe, Africa and the Middle East will meet to share knowledge, showcase regional successes and tackle the challenges surrounding DCB and Mobile Payments in more than twenty markets.

Payment service providers will provide invaluable localised insights while top-tier merchants will showcase exciting new products ranging from AR/VR gaming to streaming and education services.

Additional topics covering payment- and cyber security, regulation, digital marketing and sustainable development means GCB&MPS is the meeting place for Mobile Network Operators looking to establish, grow or showcase their Carrier Billing- and Payments offering.

 

Attendees will gain exclusive insights from key players shaping the future of carrier billing and mobile payments, so don’t miss out.

Learn more about this event and register for your tickets.

 

 

 

This event is run by MEF - Mobile Ecosystem Forum

 

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.

ITV extends mobile interactive services partnership with Fonix

Fonix are delighted to announce that ITV has agreed to gradually extend its commercial partnership with Fonix to include SMS billing payments, alongside the existing relationship for carrier billing and charity services.

Fonix will continue to support all mobile carrier billing across the ITV competition portal and gradually extend to supporting all competition interactivity for its on-air formats including high-profile shows such as Dancing on Ice, I’m A Celebrity, Good Morning Britain, Lorraine, ITV Sport, Love Island and This Morning.

We’re thrilled that all of the hard work at Fonix has enabled us to deliver a growing and closer relationship with ITV into the future. Mobile interactivity and payments have always represented a great opportunity to extend the viewing experience for broadcasters from an engagement and monetisation perspective and we’re delighted to be supporting ITV with their strategy in this space.

At Fonix, we’ve always taken great pride in the quality services and support that we’re able to deliver for major brands and broadcasters like ITV, so it’s fantastic to have that recognised with this partnership!

Take a Journey with Mobile Billing – EE BT event, supported by aimm

On the 23rd March EE/BT, supported by aimm, hosted the  ‘Take a Journey with Mobile Billing’ event at the BT Tower.

The aim of the event was to provide an introduction to Charge to Bill, as an additional payment method for the transport and parking sector.  The event demonstrated how – by giving a wider choice of payment options to their customers – the transport sector could reach those that may not wish to or are able to buy transport tickets the traditional ways.

Naomi Hone, Charge to Bill Manager at EE/BT said: ‘there are 72 million mobile phones in the UK, and carrier billing is already automatically enabled on most of them. This essentially means that the majority of people are walking around with a ticketing vending machine in their pocket!’

With speakers from aimm, EE, Kaleyra and Plusdial, as well as a panel featuring Fonix and DMB, answering questions  from the audience, it was a great opportunity to start the conversation around the opportunities that mobile billing can provide the transport industry.