Double opt in

Telenet Group is leaving no stone unturned to enforce due compliance with the new code of conduct whilst bringing every effort to bear to protect its customers against the prospective misuse of this type of service.

As of 15 March 2008, the double opt-in rule for subscription services via SMS/MMS is being added to existing regulations. As of this date, end users will be required to confirm not once, but twice that they are effectively consenting to take out a subscription to an SMS/MMS service.

The whole idea behind this tightened regulation is to make sure customers know exactly what the premium service they are buying entails and exactly how much they will be paying for this service without any unpleasant surprises after the event.

Taking out a subscription will now be required to occur as follows:

• The customers signs up for an SMS/MMS subscription;
• The customer receives a free text message, requesting them to confirm their subscription. This free SMS is required to specify the all-in price of the account on a weekly or monthly basis;
• The customer sends the confirmation text message, confirming they are consenting to take out an account;
• The customer receives a second free text message, confirming their subscription;
• A customer can cancel his account at any time by simply replying "STOP" to the short number he hasreceived messages from. Please note that the "STOP" message might not be free of charge. However, should this "STOP" message be paying, its price will never be higher than the price agreed in the subscription.
• Should this operation not end the subscription, the customer should send an email to base.support@telenetgroup.be describing the issue in order to have it solved.

Telenet Group is recommending its customers to report all infringements (in which the SMS/MMS service provider fails to detail prices of services, fails to discontinue services further to a "STOP" text message, no double confirmation forthcoming,...) to the Inspectorate of the Federal Public Service for Economic Affairs at their www.ecops.be website or to BASE customer service on our dedicated 1999 number.

All that is required is for you to provide the following details: the short code, the content of the text message, and the date and exact time of receipt.

This will enable Telenet Group to ban bogus service providers from its network, and prevent BASE customers themselves from falling victim to fraudulent practices.