6 Feb 03O2 Netherlands has introduced an emergency SMS to stop all
unsolicited SMSs at once.
Customers can send an SMS to the shortened number 255 with the text "nee",
"block", "off", "stop" or "uit" and all unwanted messages are being blocked.
This announcement follows after earlier reports of measures of KPN and the
Consumentenbond and a broadcasting of television program RADAR about
unsolicited SMSs.
O2 will give attention to the service on its website. The code also
stops all premium SMS message services which the customer subscribed for.
Therefore O2 launches the service as an emergency SMS.
The use of the number 255 has no effect on all unpaid premium SMS messages
or regular SMSs the customer sends or receives. Furthermore O2 is to publish a
list with all 500 paid premium SMS services available by O2 with the subscribe
and unsubscribe codes and phone numbers. The company disconnects all content
providers which abuse the network of O2.
At the end of February, OPTA, Consumentenbond,
Association Ombudsman and the mobile operators are to discuss the need of a
communal behaviour code.
