O2 is a leading provider of mobile communications services in the UK, Germany and Ireland. It listens and responds to the concerns of more than twenty five million customers, which makes it different from the other providers.
Today, many people doubt whether mobile phones, base stations and masts are safe. The health and safety of the O2 customers, employees and stakeholders form an important part of the company's agenda. Realizing the need to protect the vulnerable, particularly children, O2 provides parents with the necessary controls to access for their children.
The development and improvement of the mobile technology made phones with enhanced features like color screens, video, picture messaging and internet browsers widely available. It supplies an access to a number of various services. The majority of commercial content is suitable for customers of all ages, but some (e.g. pornography, gambling, violent video games and some chat services, etc.) are obtainable for adults over eighteen years old.
Together with the other industry players it developed an industry-wide Code of Practice for mobile data services. In 2004, the Irish Cellular Industry and the Irish mobile operators introduced the Irish Code of Practice. This code covers a responsible and secure use of the mobile services and also sets standards on issues, such as parental controls, inappropriate or offensive communications, premium rate services, an internet access and user education. With the O2 mobile phones, the dual access services are also accessible.
In Germany, O2, together with the other operators, drew up a code of conduct on mobile content. Its purpose is to block adult services from the under-aged. Thus, the O2 mobile phones enable parents to monitor what their children look at and listen to, including filtering, a content selection and call barring.
In Ireland, no mobile operator currently offers adult content or adult chat services.
The O2 mobile phones are equipped with parental control tools to restrict an internet access to the under-aged. O2 also monitors chat rooms twenty four hours a day to make sure they are not used for inappropriate contacts and it suggests help to young callers in distress. Moreover, the O2 mobile phones are the safest and easiest in use.
Being committed to the best practice and the highest standards of health and safety across all its businesses, O2 provides ready information on any potential risks, associated with the mobile phone technology. Peter Richardson, MD O2 Airwave and O2 plc Environment and Health & Safety Champion, leads the company's health and safety program.
Through a range of media, O2 presents information on industry regulations, safety guidelines and the industry's own rules on the sensitive and safe building of networks, as well as additional advice on key issues, such as child protection and customer safety.
Health, child protection, personal safety,safe driving, mobile content, accesibility, customer care or responsible marketing and other questions are fully described by O2. The leaflets are available to download on internal and external websites.