aimm launches new consumer information site PhoneCharges.org

Today is a really great day, as we launch our brand new consumer-facing website PhoneCharges.org.

Consumers needed a better way to investigate unknown charges on their phone bill, identify who charged them, and resolve their query as quickly as possible, and this is why PhoneCharges.org was born. In its simplest form, the site will signpost consumers to their own network’s number checker or to the PSA’s service checker to quickly identify who has charged them and obtain their contact details. It also contains basic information around what phone-paid services are, why consumers may have been charged, when refunds may be due etc.

PhoneCharges.org will provide users with links to the relevant pages of their mobile networks’ website or to the Phone-paid Services Authority Number Checker so that they can find out quickly where any charges have come from. Additionally, it will provide easy-to-understand information about how phone-paid services work, why users may have charges on their bill and when a refund may be due. It will also provide topical news stories from within the industry which will help consumers understand the types of services that use charge-to-mobile billing.

The website is funded by aimm and its membership, but has been built free of charge by The Cute Group who have a wealth of experience in handling customer queries in this area.

Andrew Fisher, CEO of The Cute Group said ““When aimm approached The Cute Group with a concept to help consumers navigate the maze that is the phone-billed services industry, we knew immediately it had our name on it. As a leading UK player supporting digital services for brands, publishers and content owners, Cute has rich experience understanding the kinds of queries, frustrations and confusion consumers face – and how to resolve them helpfully, and with as little fuss as possible.  We are excited to partner with aimm to bring PhoneCharges.org to life, building the site itself and contributing our experience to support the project as a whole.”

Joanna Cox, General Manager of aimm said “More often than not, queries about phone-paid services are due to a lack of post-purchase information and consumers end up complaining to the regulator who are unable to resolve specific cases. PhoneCharges.org is there to help consumers get the information they need and solve their queries as quickly as possible.”

We hope this site can help consumers better resolve any issues they have, increase their confidence in phone-paid services and, ultimately, create the conditions for growth in our industry.

Rupen Patel joins Dynamic Mobile Billing

Dynamic Mobile Billing appoints Rupen Patel as Head of Sales and Marketing.

Rupen brings a wealth of experience, with a career that spans over 20 years, including his time as Product & Lead Commercial Manager at mobile operator Three UK, as well as previous industry experience gained at Telefónica and Mobile Ecosystem Forum (MEF).

DMB CEO Kev Dawson comments on the appointment: “Rupen joins the UK Management team at an exciting growth time for the business.  We are seeing new revenue growth opportunities across both existing and new sector clients and Rupen offers extensive experience and capability to help drive DMB UK offerings in these areas.”

Rupen adds: “I’m delighted to be joining DMB at this promising time and hoping my experience can directly contribute to the mutual success of both myself and the business.”

Rupen started his career in the Media & Advertising sector, including stints at ITV, Channel 4 and WPP covering Sales, Business Development and Account/Client/Product Management.  He’s worked across all the major Media Agency groups and managed a portfolio of clients that included BT, Vodafone, Unilever, Mars, Procter & Gamble and GlaxoSmithKlein

At Three UK, Rupen was initially hired within the Payment Services team and was responsible for managing both Direct Carrier Billing & Premium Rate Services. For the last 20 months his focus has been solely on managing and growing the Premium SMS and Voice business working within the Wholesale Team.

As DMB are a member of aimm, we look forward to working with him, and hope to see him at the working groups.

 

MCP Insight now monitoring in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Iraq

MCP Insight recently launched Mobile Advertising Compliance Monitoring in 3 new territories across the Middle East. As well as ad monitoring, we are delighted to announce the addition of Fraud Blocking and Service Testing in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Iraq.

MCP Insight Director Declan Pettit commented: ‘We are pleased to extend our monitoring services and augment our existing MENA coverage in UAE, Kuwait, Egypt and Iran. We intend to continue our ethos of co-operating in a transparent and joined up way with the mobile billing industry to help resolve the increased fraud threat in these territories.’