The GSM Association (GSMA) has brought together fifteen mobile phone operators to sign a code of practice committing them to work together to minimise spam sent via text and picture messages.

Bharti, Cingular Wireless, Hutchison 3 Group, Hutchison Telecommunications International, Mobinil, O2, Orange, SFR, Telefonica, Telenor, Teliasonera, T-Mobile, Turkcell, Vimpelcom and Vodafone have adopted the code of practice, which is designed to protect the secure and trusted environment enjoyed by mobile services. Together, these operators have more than 500 million customers in more than 50 countries.

Overseen by the GSMA, the code commits the operators to work together to investigate cases of mobile spam transmitted across mobile networks and take action where appropriate. Through the code, the operators plan to introduce anti-spam conditions into all new contracts with third party suppliers, enabling them to suspend or terminate the mobile contracts of spammers.

Spam messages that travel across networks or internationally are typically harder to combat than spam that remains within one mobile network. By sharing information, mobile operators will be better able to track the source of spam and take steps to tackle it.

Among the provisions in the code is a commitment by operators to monitor networks for signs of spam and to provide mobile users with an easy means to report unsolicited messages. The operators will also offer customers an clear and efficient means to opt-out of receiving SMS or MMS marketing communications.

Operators that sign up to the code plan to encourage governments to review legal obstacles that may hamper operators' ability to investigate mobile spam abuses. Such obstacles can include data protection or privacy laws and restrictions on the use of network filters to identify mobile spam and therefore prevent it from reaching customers