Content Guidelines  

CTIA Position:
Recognizing their responsibility as content distributors, participating wireless carriers in conjunction with CTIA-The Wireless Association®, have voluntarily adopted the Wireless Carrier Content Classification and Internet Access Control Guidelines. 

The Guidelines highlight the carriers’ effort to provide consumers with the information and tools they need to make informed choices when accessing content using a wireless handset.

The wireless industry has been, and will continue to be, at the forefront of meaningful efforts to advise consumers of the nature of the content available to them on mobile phones, and will provide consumers with the information and tools they need to prevent unauthorized access to inappropriate content.   


Key Points:

• Carrier Content Classification Standards Enable Consumers to make Informed Choices.
  A significant component of the Wireless Carrier Content Guidelines is the voluntary content classification standards for carrier content—those materials that are offered specifically on the carrier’s managed content portal, also known as the carrier’s “deck”, or any third-party content whose charges are included on a carrier’s bill. Carrier Content is divided into two classifications: “Generally Accessible Carrier Content” and “Restricted Carrier Content.” Generally Accessible Carrier Content is available to consumers of all ages. Restricted Carrier Content is accessible only to consumers age 18 years and older or to a consumer less than 18 years of age when specifically authorized by a parent or guardian.
• Providing Parental Controls on “Restricted Carrier Content” is a Priority. 
  The wireless industry has pledged not to offer any “Restricted Carrier Content” until it has provided controls to allow parents to restrict access to this type of content, based on the content classification standard. Each carrier is responsible for its implementation of access controls, including age-verification mechanisms. Additionally, the industry will undertake an education campaign to inform and educate consumers on how they can prevent unauthorized access to age-restricted carrier-controlled content.
• Content Rating Standards will give Wireless Consumers Tools to make Informed Decisions. 
  Participating wireless carriers are also working to define content rating standards to more fully inform consumers about the characteristics of carrier content and its suitability for particular audiences. The content rating standards will leverage existing rating systems familiar to consumers, such movie, television, music, and gaming rating systems.
• Internet Access Controls will Enable Consumers to Limit Access to Websites from their Wireless Device. 
  As with carrier content, the industry is developing “Internet Access Control” technologies that will enable wireless account holders to limit access to specific websites. Currently, all major carriers provide consumers with the ability to completely block Internet access on their devices. Although carriers have no control over content generally available on the Internet, providing filters and tools is an important step intended to give consumers, particularly parents, the ability to limit the Internet content that can be accessed through their family’s wireless devices. Wireless companies are aggressively researching technological solutions and are implementing them on a carrier-by-carrier basis.