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WASPA developing code of conduct

By Rodney Weidemann, ITWeb Contributor
Johannesburg, 26 Oct 2004

The Wireless Application Service Providers Association (WASPA) is putting together a code of conduct for its members and will seek comment from the broader WASP community once it is complete.

WASPA was established recently as a watchdog body to protect service providers and give consumers an avenue of recourse.

It was formed by industry players, with seed money from the three cellular operators, and is focused on protecting the mobile industry against unscrupulous SMS services that rip off consumers.

According to WASPA chairman Leon Perlman, the organisation is studying the codes of conduct of similar associations, both locally and internationally, in order to develop one that is appropriate to the local industry.

"Once we have put a first draft together, we will ask the broader WASP community for comment on the code, and will add and subtract bits until we reach a consensus on what is best for the association," he says.

"Obviously we will want as much comment on it as possible, because the aim of the code of conduct is to help the industry, not to impose restrictions on it."

WASPA is also developing a logo for its members to use, which will help members of the public identify reputable service providers, and the organisation will act as a lobbying association and hopes to play a supportive role to the communications regulator.

While no date has been set for the release of the draft code of conduct, Perlman says: "We understand that it is something of a slow process, but the important thing is to ensure we do it correctly and get it right first time."

Related stories:
WASPA born today
Dodgy SMS services feel WASPA`s sting

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