Press Releases

GSM Europe supports hotline for missing children

On 8 June 2007, Kaisu Karvala, Chair GSM Europe, signed the Industry Guidelines for the implementation of the 116 000 pan-European hotline number for missing children along with other representatives of the EU telecoms industry. The signature took place in Brussels in the presence of Rudolf Strohmeier, Cabinet of Commissioner Reding. The Guidelines follow the European Commission's decision of 15 February 2007 to reserve national numbers starting with '116' for pan-European services of social value and to attribute 116 000 to hotline services for missing children. Co-operation on the part of industry signatories with NGOs, as represented by the European Federation for Missing and Sexually Exploited Children, was crucial to the success of this initiative. The signatories (GSM Europe, Cable Europe, ECTA and ETNO) have committed to appeal to their member companies to make 116 000 available and operational with minimal delays and to make all necessary interconnection agreements. Charges associated with these calls will follow the established model for national freephone calls.

Go to joint press release

Go to European Industry Guidelines

About GSM Europe
GSM Europe is the European interest group of the GSM Association. GSM Europe represents around 147 operators in 50 countries/areas in Europe and counts around 600 million subscribers.

For further information contact:

David Pringle
GSM Association
Tel: +44 795 755 6069
Email: press@gsm.org