AT&T Disconnecting non-SRM compliant premium subscription services

AT&T has alerted us that they will start disconnecting all short codes that run premium subscription campaigns and are not using AT&T's Subscription and Refund Management (SRM) Platform. AT&T will typically not give any warning before disconnecting a particular code.

AT&T Zero Rate Policy Change (UPDATED)

AT&T requires the use of 'zero rated' messages (ie. messages that are free to the end user) for all responses to HELP and STOP requests. These responses arrive on the consumer's cell phone via an 11-digit short code provided by AT&T.

AT&T is making two changes to aforementioned policy:

1. The 11-digit short code is replaced by a 4 digit short code. The short code number is 1006.
   
2. Not only responses to HELP and STOP requests need to be zero-rated, but also subscription confirmation and subscription reminder messages.
   

In addition to these changes, AT&T requires that all subscription confirmation messages contain a toll-free technical support number, website address, or AT&T customer support number. Refunds and cancellations should ONLY be processed using AT&T's SRM system.

Quios customers need to ensure that all subscription confirmation and reminder messages are sent with 'price=-1', which will automatically trigger the zero-rate tariff and 4 digit short code on AT&T's network.

UPDATE (10/1/2007): We were informed today to hold off on the implementation of this new policy. Because of consumer litigation, AT&T felt it was necessary to change the policy, and that hasn't changed. So we do expect this new policy to be implemented some time in the future. Stay tuned for more info.

AT&T Delays implementation of OPPC

As previously reported here, AT&T is preparing to roll-out phase 2 of their subscription management system. It's called OPPC which stands for Off-Portal Purchasing Control. The basic idea is that AT&T will take over the responsibility for handling the double opt-in consumer registration process.

AT&T has just announced that it would delay the roll-out of OPPC until Q1 2008. This will give content providers extra time to test their implementation and integration with the OPPC system during Q4 2007. AT&T stresses that the delay does not signal a reduced commitment to switch over to the OPPC system. On the contrary, AT&T intents to invest even more time and effort in making sure that the OPPC platform is successfully rolled out.

Cingular Off Portal Purchasing Control (OPPC) System

Cingular announces important changes to the way its Subscription and Refund Management (SRM) system will work, mainly to improve Cingular's visibility over end-user subscription status to 3rd party content.

Under the new and revised SRM system, content providers no longer need to handle the double opt-in user interaction before starting a new subscription on Cingular's SRM platform. Instead Cingular will handle the double opt-in management through its Qpass billing platform.

Here's the old message flow:


And here's the new message flow:


The new system has the advantage that Cingular customer service reps will be able to handle consumer complaints more effectively and verify consumer claims about opt-in status to specific campaigns.

For Quios customers who use the Quios Permission Management System (QPMS) no changes will be needed. Quios will handle the revised requirements transparently to our customers.

The change-over is expected to take place by the end of Q3 2007.