3GPP TSG-T2 #7 / ETSI SMG4
Ystad, SWEDEN, 22-26 November 1999	TSGT2#7(99971)	

Agenda Item:	SMS

Source:	Vodafone-Airtouch

Title:	Picture messaging and other incompatible features

Document for:	Discussion

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Vodafone-Airtouch welcomes the picture messaging feature provided by some mobile phones.
However, consideration needs to be given about the proliferation of incompatible implementations.
These incompatible implementations are likely to result in customers being charged for sending pictures which cannot be understood by the receiving mobile subscribers phone. This has already led to a rise in the number of customer complaints into VodafoneAirtouch accusing Vodafone-Airtouch of corrupting subscribers messages. Vodafone-Airtouch – and any other network operator for that matter is powerless to resolve this problem and faces an ever increasing level of criticism of the performance of their network and services by their subscribers.

Vodafone-Airtouch seeks the support of other network operators to address this matter in a wider context.

Vodafone-Airtouch would prefer mobile manufacturers to bring features they are intending to implement in their phones to the standards committees so that the whole SMS market can benefit. However, recognising the commercial advantage which may be perceived by a mobile manufacturer by having proprietary features Vodafone-Airtouch would like the mobile manufactures to give full consideration to the implications on network operators.
In particular,  Vodafone-Airtouch would like mobile phone manufacturers not to introduce features which assume compatible products at the sending and receiving entities without  clearly stating in their user manuals that these features will only work with certain mobile phones and to list those phones.

Proposal.
If the support of other network operators is obtained Vodafone-Airtouch would like a statement sent from  TSG T2#7 to the appropriate GSM authority empowered to insist that these proposals are adhered to.