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    Enhanced MMS content filtering

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    Protecting users from dodgy messages

    Telcotec, a specialist in mobile communications management, has upgraded its key Content Guardian solution for mobile network operators, which enables mobile users to protect their phones against pornographic content, viruses and spam messages.

    The company’s Content Guardian solution now incorporates SurfControl’s market-leading Internet content filtering, and First 4 Internet’s (F4i) innovative image and text filtering technology. 

    Content Guardian is deployed by network operators, allowing mobile phone users to choose and manage the types of content they want to receive when browsing the Internet or using multimedia messaging services (MMS).

    With the use of Internet- and MMS-enabled mobile phones set to explode this year, mobile operators are aware that pornography is typically an early adopter of new technology.  In January 2004 the six British mobile phone operators* unveiled a joint code of practice to help prevent youngsters from accessing porn and other unsuitable content from mobile phones.

    With SurfControl’s filtering solution, Content Guardian checks the Internet addresses requested by mobile users against a database of over 6.4 million categorised URLs – the industry’s largest – giving quick and accurate decisions over blocking of adult websites.  With F4i’s technology, Content Guardian also scans web and MMS images in real time, with a ‘Digital DNA’
    function enabling known images to be identified quickly with accuracy rates of over 90% in live testing. 

    Nick Outteridge, SurfControl’s director OEM technology partnerships said: “Managing Internet and MMS content on mobile phones is a complex issue, and Telcotec are spearheading delivery of effective, fully integrated real-world
    solutions which benefit both mobile operators and users.”

    Nick Drew, F4i’s business development manager said:  “From the outset of our relationship, we were very impressed with the vision which the Telcotec management had for the MMS sector.  In addition to having the expertise to implement the technology, Telcotec predicted the emergence of content
    management issues.  The company has a considerable head start in being able to offer a tried-and-tested solution.”

    MMS services are available now from all six British network operators.  3 is the only company to have launched full 3G mobile Internet services so far, but the other five operators all have advanced plans to follow suit. 

    * Orange, O2, T-Mobile, Virgin Mobile, Vodafone and 3

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