General Questions

1. Who can subscribe to MobileSOS services?
2. For how long is the contract?
3. What happens when an alarm call is triggered?
4. Who will know that I have made an alarm call?
5. Will MobilesSOS work with my network provider?
6. Location services and you?

Answers

1. Who can subscribe to MobileSOS services?

Anyone can benefit from the extra personal security that MobileSOS can provide. But there are a number of groups for whom these services are especially relevant. Some of the more obvious ones are young people who can unwittingly find themselves in threatening situations and this may be particularly true of girls and women.

In a business situation, there are a number of jobs which require people to be out and about on their own – estate agents, health visitors, social workers, delivery drivers, taxi drivers for example – and they would benefit from having help accessible quickly and easily.

2. For how long is the contract?

We ask that you sign for one year and will liaise with you when your renewal is due. Naturally, we hope that during that time you only have to use the services that inform your friends, family or colleagues that you are OK or the Timer service. As more people have services such as those provided by MobileSOS, the more that potential assailants will have to think about their chances of being caught and, hopefully, discouraged.

3. What happens when an alarm call is triggered?

We take the call, identify where the call was made and then pass on your message and all the details to your nominated contacts. They will receive a telephone message, a SMS text message and also an email so that they can begin to act on your behalf.

4. Will someone who is threatening know that I have made an alarm call?

Probably not, unless you want them too. You may want them to know, believing that this may be enough to deter them.

All you have to do is use your MobileSOS Speed-Dial number and the alarm call will be made to your contact list. All the people who have had the service so far have had no difficulty finding the right number to press when their phone keypad is not visible. Almost all mobile phones have a raised ‘5’ button so we recommend that either you use ‘5’ for your Panic/Help Speed-Dial or that you choose another easy to find button such as ‘1’ or ‘3’.

5. Will MobileSOS work with my network provider?

MobileSOS works on the networks of Vodafone, TMobile, Orange and O2 and most other providers. Currently, the location-based element of the service does not work with "3" although the messaging services do

MobileSOS positions mobile phones using the mobile operators' network, it is dependent on the network operator for roaming agreements with other operators in country and abroad for international access. Currently no roaming agreements exist and therefor international positioning does not currently work.

6. Location services and you?

Location services work by identifying the physical location of a mobile phone or other mobile device. This could be your own mobile phone or the mobile phone of a relative, friend or work colleague. 

A wide range of new services are possible using location services including telling you how to get to the nearest cash machine or chemist; allowing a parent to identify the location of his or her child; making it easier for friends to meet up for an evening out; and assisting firms with the security of lone workers. 

All location services are subject to the legal requirements of the Data Protection Act. For consumers this means that location information can be used only after consent is provided by the user of the phone being located. For business users employers must explain to their employees how location information will be used before it is collected. 

The Data Protection Act requires that customers are made aware of: 

•  who their location service company is; 
•  the purposes for which personal data - including location information - will be collected and processed; 
•  whether data will be sent to a third party for the purpose of providing the location service and length of time for processing data, including storage, will be. 

In addition to data protection legislation, participants in the UK location services industry - including both location service providers and mobile phone operators - have agreed a Code of Practice for the provision of location services. 

This Code of Practice sets out additional requirements for different types of location services. This includes requirements relating to: 

• registration of individuals and organisations using location information; 
•  provision of reminders on location services operating on a mobile phone;
•  how customers can stop a locating service which is running on their phone; and
•  responsibilities of a locating business or other organisation. 

While details vary, all location services depend on the disclosure of where you are to companies or to other individuals. This offers you significant opportunities to use new services. 

However, these services should be used with the same care as you would take in telling other people your location in a phone call or SMS. Further, unlike a phone call or SMS, they can provide information on your location over a period of time. 

Only consent to the use of your location information if you would be willing to provide the same company or individual with details of where you are in a phone call or SMS. Be aware that your consent may apply for a period of time. Don’t forget that you can withdraw your consent to being located at any time. 

If you have any concerns about your safety which relate to the operation of any location service then you should contact your location service company. If you have immediate safety concerns then you should, as in other circumstances, contact the police by dialling 999 or 112.

If a user of a location service believes that the industry Code of Practice are being breached by the location service provider, he or she may contact the Mobile Broadband Group by e-mail at mobilebg@btopenworld.com or write to The Secretariat, Mobile Broadband Group, PO Box 34586, London SE15-5YA