Yankee Group Urges Wireless Carriers to Act on Adult Content to Avoid Government Regulation14 June 2005
Yankee Group today recommended that wireless carriers take action in 2005 to protect minors from adult content and preempt the regulatory assault. The issue of wireless adult content has reached heightened importance as the market--estimated to grow to $192 million by 2009--exposes more children to indecent material, making it only a mater of time before parental outrage reaches the FCC. The wireless industry, however, may not like the FCC's actions. The filtering schemes it imposes may be very costly, especially if states get involved and carriers are forced to deploy multiple solutions. The FCC and the industry widely recognize that self-regulation is the preferred route.
To influence US regulatory decisions and take social responsibility, Yankee Group is advising wireless carriers to establish a road map for self-regulation of adult content through effective, affordable, service-enabling technology. When establishing this strategic road map, wireless carriers must first understand that they cannot offer adult content without offering a parental control solution. In the recent DecisionNote(SM), Wireless Carriers Must Protect Minors from Adult Content and Avoid Government Regulation, Yankee Group recommends several solutions for carriers, including:
Consider turning off the wireless web as the parental control solution. Although this may limit the mobile content exposure to children, it also decreases revenue potential for carriers.
Create a child profile, which offers comprehensive protection that is easy for the guardian to administer.
In addition to these technological approaches to blocking children's access to adult content, carriers must keep the following business perspectives in mind:
A small investment now in a filter or parental control solution is a worthwhile investment when measured against the risk of invasive, costly regulations.
Expect at least one US carrier to claim leadership in moving forward on addressing this issue.
Marrying the technology and business perspectives will create the maximum effect on carriers' approach in addressing the concern of protecting minors from adult content.
"How wireless carriers choose to respond to this growing industry concern will dictate the impact of their role with the government and within the industry," said Adam Zawel, Yankee Group senior analyst. "With solid, strategic investment in self-regulation, wireless carriers can achieve dual benefit of protecting minors from adult content while safely profiting from the opportunity."
NOTE TO EDITORS
For interviews contact:
Adam Zawel, Yankee Group, 617-880-0298, azawel@yankeegroup.com
Thomas Ford, Racepoint Group, 781-487-4607, tford@racepointgroup.com
The Yankee Group (http://www.yankeegroup.com)
At Yankee Group, we help our clients succeed by providing the knowledge, tools and support they need to make winning decisions when business opportunities intersect with technology solutions. In business more than 35 years, Yankee Group knows the importance of listening to and understanding the needs of our clients. We deliver value through authoritative, innovative and flexible research products and consulting services. Whether challenges are rooted in planning, executing or optimizing the use of technology, Yankee Group's world-renowned analysts transform market intelligence and practical, real-world experience into valuable decision support. Headquartered in Boston, Yankee Group research and sales staffs are located around the world, including North America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Latin America and Asia-Pacific.
Source: dBusinessNews
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