CTIA-The Wireless Association® Announces Short Code Verification Process with Aegis Mobile

Additional scrutiny to help assure consumers mobile campaigns are legitimate and prevent cramming

WASHINGTON, May 16, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- CTIA-The Wireless Association®, through its Common Short Code Administration (CSCA), today announced its partnership with Aegis Mobile to verify the identity of organizations that market to wireless consumers using premium short code campaigns. By reviewing detailed information so it can verify the organizations, Aegis will help ensure that legitimate businesses may continue their campaigns while stopping unscrupulous businesses from "cramming," which is when unauthorized charges are placed on a wireless customer's monthly bill.

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Effective April 10, 2012, Aegis Mobile began conducting thorough checks of companies that are renewing or applying to lease premium CSCs, including the background of the organization, their location, the length of time the organization has been operating and the organization's relationships to other businesses.

Many business, non-profits and governments of all sizes have utilized CSCs in their mobile marketing programs to reach their target audiences via text or MMS messages. CSCs are five- or six-digit numbers that are used in a variety of applications, including mobile giving, tele-voting and marketing promotions. CTIA manages all CSCs used in the United States, including premium short codes that allow charges for services to be placed on a customer's wireless bill. Premium short codes provide a convenient way to pay for services such as parking meters or to make a $10 donation to disaster relief organizations.

"CSCs are an easy and effective way for organizations to engage with current and potential customers. By working with Aegis Mobile to vet organizations, the U.S. wireless industry has taken yet another step to protect our customers from illegitimate users while providing them with confidence to know that the premium short code campaigns that are running are from legitimate companies," said David Diggs, Vice President of Wireless Internet Development at CTIA.

"Consumers are increasingly making purchases using their mobile devices and want assurance that the charges placed on their wireless bill are legitimate," said Rich LaPerch, CEO of Aegis Mobile. "Vetting these organizations when they are applying for a CSC is the first step in the process and Aegis Mobile is pleased to partner with CTIA in this effort to make the mobile commerce space a safe and prosperous ecosystem."

About CTIA:
CTIA-The Wireless Association® (www.ctia.org) is an international organization representing the wireless communications industry. Membership in the association includes wireless carriers and their suppliers, as well as providers and manufacturers of wireless data services and products. CTIA advocates on behalf of its members at all levels of government. The association also coordinates the industry's voluntary best practices and initiatives, and sponsors the industry's leading wireless tradeshows. CTIA was founded in 1984 and is based in Washington, D.C.

About Aegis Mobile:
Founded in 2006, Aegis Mobile is a global provider of mobile, compliance and privacy solutions. Aegis works with businesses to provide persistent mobile presences, and with leading mobile phone carriers and other members of the mobile payment ecosystem to ensure that providers, content, media and specific programs meet all the necessary standards and regulations. In August 2011, Aegis Mobile was ranked 561 in Inc. magazine's fifth annual Inc. 500 | 5000, an exclusive ranking of the nation's fastest-growing private companies. In May of the same year, Aegis Mobile was named "High Technology Firm of the Year" by the Tech Council of Maryland.

SOURCE CTIA-The Wireless Association