I need to admit that I have always been a skeptic when it involves mobile subscription services. The idea of some intangible, unknown, and unreachable company/individual or thing, taking my money every week or month (depending on the 'contract' entered into) has always annoyed me day. In fact, I don't even respond 'STOP' to the marketing messages my bank sends me, just in case it happens to be a ploy of sorts to obtain me to subscribe to one thing I didn't want in the place that is first. Am I paranoid?
teleselskaber
Perhaps...However, I like to think that this is justified paranoia, on the basis of the numerous complaints we have heard about mobile registration services. It seems that so often people are 'fooled' into subscribing to something, which will be very difficult to terminate. If, like me, you share these sentiments then read on, as I have since discovered that it is not so much mobile subscription services that are the problem but rather uncouth ie. dodgy, service providers.
teleselskaber
Having dug a little deeper -in other terms beyond the ads on TV that tell me I should subscribe to acquire the latest love poems, horoscopes, dating tips, games, and farting monkeys - I have discovered that there are some fairly cool subscriptions out there. Music subscriptions for example, and they seem become on the rise. In fact, Janus Fries, one associated with the founders of Skype Technologies, is of the belief that, " The whole download model is going away." Now, that it is possible to subscribe to some cool stuff, if we just know what to look out for whether we agree or not is a discussion for another time, however, the point is. And hey, if farting monkeys are what you're after that's additionally fine, as long as you don't get fooled. So having said that, let us continue with the service that is uncouth....
The problems with mobile subscription services generally arise when service providers don't follow the rules regulating these services. In light of the I thought it'd be good to list a few of the rules in this specific article, so as to give you a better knowledge of how mobile subscriptions are supposed to operate. According to WASPA (The Wireless Application Service Provider's Association), which to a large degree oversees our mobile industry, the after things should be in place with any subscription service that is mobile
Firstly, advertising material associated with subscription services needs to very clearly state that this might be in fact a membership service, as well as the cost of this subscription.
Secondly, the terms for the subscription have to be stipulated. In other words, is it a daily, regular, or subscription that is monthly.
Thirdly, for legal reasons, mobile subscriptions need a double opt-in confirmation from anyone wanting to subscribe. In other words you would need to receive two SMS' to confirm that you really want to subscribe.
Fourthly, a monthly sms reminder, which contains the cost and option to unsubscribe, needs to be sent to every subscriber.