SMS raises over $1.9 million for tsunami relief effort

[Charlie Wong]

SMS raises over $1.9 million for tsunami relief effort
<http://www.telstra.com.au/communications/media/release.cfm?ObjectID=33054>

Sydney, 12 January 2005: Australian mobile phone operators involved in
the 'Australia Unites' initiative announced today they had raised
$1,923,678 for the Asian tsunamis and earthquake appeal.

Mobile customers sent 251,457 SMSs to donate money. Donations have
been added to their next mobile phone bill or deducted from their
pre-paid mobile account balance. The cost to send the SMS was waived.

All money raised will be given to World Vision to assist them with
their relief efforts in Asia.

The initiative was the first of its kind in Australia. It was the
first time all mobile companies had come together on a single project
and the first time SMS had been used for a charity donation collection
on such a large scale.

The companies involved were: Telstra; Optus; Vodafone; 3; Orange;
Virgin Mobile; AAPT; Primus Telecom; Austar; SimPlus; m8 telecom; B
Digital; DigiPlus; People Telecom; Commander; Go Talk; iTel Community
Telco; Saise; Tangible Solutions; and Southern Cross Mobile.

The project united the whole industry. Companies that normally compete
head-to-head had teams working together around the clock to get this
project up and running in four days.

Note:
* World Vision continues to run additional fund raising efforts.
Australians can contribute by contacting them directly on 13 32 40 or
via www.worldvision.com.au
* This initiative was run in conjunction with Channel Seven, Nine and
Ten's 'Australia Unites - Reaching out to Asia' relief concert and
Channel Nine's coverage of the tsunami appeal cricket match.
* SMS donation lines were open from midday on Friday, 7 January and
closed at midnight on Tuesday, 12 January 2005.
* Legion Interactive provided the total aggregation and set-up of the
premium SMS number service for all carriers involved in the Australia
Unites initiative.


Luisa Ford (on behalf of the Australian telcos unite initiative) 0411
024 104
Sophie Cox (World Vision) 0412 670 013




Reference Number: 000/2005

[The Family]

Suckers.

If those donations were made from a pre-paid, chances are that the donor
won't have a receipt to support a tax deduction.

There are also major issues about whether the dollars are actually, visibly
and verifiably, moved from the telcos to World Vision.


Charlie Wong" <willwasteyou@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:9tu8u0p0t2pb8js929mdna88peuav8bkee@4ax.com...
> SMS raises over $1.9 million for tsunami relief effort
> <http://www.telstra.com.au/communications/media/release.cfm?ObjectID=33054>
>
> Sydney, 12 January 2005: Australian mobile phone operators involved in
> the 'Australia Unites' initiative announced today they had raised
> $1,923,678 for the Asian tsunamis and earthquake appeal.
>
> Mobile customers sent 251,457 SMSs to donate money. Donations have
> been added to their next mobile phone bill or deducted from their
> pre-paid mobile account balance. The cost to send the SMS was waived.
>
> All money raised will be given to World Vision to assist them with
> their relief efforts in Asia.
>
> The initiative was the first of its kind in Australia. It was the
> first time all mobile companies had come together on a single project
> and the first time SMS had been used for a charity donation collection
> on such a large scale.
>
> The companies involved were: Telstra; Optus; Vodafone; 3; Orange;
> Virgin Mobile; AAPT; Primus Telecom; Austar; SimPlus; m8 telecom; B
> Digital; DigiPlus; People Telecom; Commander; Go Talk; iTel Community
> Telco; Saise; Tangible Solutions; and Southern Cross Mobile.
>
> The project united the whole industry. Companies that normally compete
> head-to-head had teams working together around the clock to get this
> project up and running in four days.
>
> Note:
> * World Vision continues to run additional fund raising efforts.
> Australians can contribute by contacting them directly on 13 32 40 or
> via www.worldvision.com.au
> * This initiative was run in conjunction with Channel Seven, Nine and
> Ten's 'Australia Unites - Reaching out to Asia' relief concert and
> Channel Nine's coverage of the tsunami appeal cricket match.
> * SMS donation lines were open from midday on Friday, 7 January and
> closed at midnight on Tuesday, 12 January 2005.
> * Legion Interactive provided the total aggregation and set-up of the
> premium SMS number service for all carriers involved in the Australia
> Unites initiative.
>
>
> Luisa Ford (on behalf of the Australian telcos unite initiative) 0411
> 024 104
> Sophie Cox (World Vision) 0412 670 013
>
>
>
>
> Reference Number: 000/2005
>
>

[Jeremy Quirke]

Though the telco's would have made a considerable loss on prepaid if in fact
100% of the proceeds went through, as a result of retail commission.

"The Family" <someone@somewhere.com> wrote in message
news:41e48129$1@duster.adelaide.on.net...
> Suckers.
>
> If those donations were made from a pre-paid, chances are that the donor
> won't have a receipt to support a tax deduction.
>
> There are also major issues about whether the dollars are actually,
> visibly and verifiably, moved from the telcos to World Vision.
>
>
> Charlie Wong" <willwasteyou@hotmail.com> wrote in message
> news:9tu8u0p0t2pb8js929mdna88peuav8bkee@4ax.com...
>> SMS raises over $1.9 million for tsunami relief effort
>> <http://www.telstra.com.au/communications/media/release.cfm?ObjectID=33054>
>>
>> Sydney, 12 January 2005: Australian mobile phone operators involved in
>> the 'Australia Unites' initiative announced today they had raised
>> $1,923,678 for the Asian tsunamis and earthquake appeal.
>>
>> Mobile customers sent 251,457 SMSs to donate money. Donations have
>> been added to their next mobile phone bill or deducted from their
>> pre-paid mobile account balance. The cost to send the SMS was waived.
>>
>> All money raised will be given to World Vision to assist them with
>> their relief efforts in Asia.
>>
>> The initiative was the first of its kind in Australia. It was the
>> first time all mobile companies had come together on a single project
>> and the first time SMS had been used for a charity donation collection
>> on such a large scale.
>>
>> The companies involved were: Telstra; Optus; Vodafone; 3; Orange;
>> Virgin Mobile; AAPT; Primus Telecom; Austar; SimPlus; m8 telecom; B
>> Digital; DigiPlus; People Telecom; Commander; Go Talk; iTel Community
>> Telco; Saise; Tangible Solutions; and Southern Cross Mobile.
>>
>> The project united the whole industry. Companies that normally compete
>> head-to-head had teams working together around the clock to get this
>> project up and running in four days.
>>
>> Note:
>> * World Vision continues to run additional fund raising efforts.
>> Australians can contribute by contacting them directly on 13 32 40 or
>> via www.worldvision.com.au
>> * This initiative was run in conjunction with Channel Seven, Nine and
>> Ten's 'Australia Unites - Reaching out to Asia' relief concert and
>> Channel Nine's coverage of the tsunami appeal cricket match.
>> * SMS donation lines were open from midday on Friday, 7 January and
>> closed at midnight on Tuesday, 12 January 2005.
>> * Legion Interactive provided the total aggregation and set-up of the
>> premium SMS number service for all carriers involved in the Australia
>> Unites initiative.
>>
>>
>> Luisa Ford (on behalf of the Australian telcos unite initiative) 0411
>> 024 104
>> Sophie Cox (World Vision) 0412 670 013
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> Reference Number: 000/2005
>>
>>
>
>

[The Family]

Unlikely.

The max donation available via SMS was $10. So unless a punter makes
multiple SMS donations it's highly probable that the average donation is
well below $10 per punter. More likely $2 or so, given that many prepaids
are in the hands of kids etc.

Most telcos have a minimum prepaid recharge value of at least $20 so it's
unlikely that the telcos will lose out via commissions paid to recharge
retailers.

In any case, more than 50% of all recharges are now done directly with the
telco via the handset or on the internet. These recharges don't generally
attract commissions (and in some cases attract airtime charges!).


"Jeremy Quirke" <jqr@no-ausmobile-spam.com> wrote in message
news:41e49d14$0$32063$5a62ac22@per-qv1-newsreader-01.iinet.net.au...
> Though the telco's would have made a considerable loss on prepaid if in
> fact 100% of the proceeds went through, as a result of retail commission.
>
> "The Family" <someone@somewhere.com> wrote in message
> news:41e48129$1@duster.adelaide.on.net...
>> Suckers.
>>
>> If those donations were made from a pre-paid, chances are that the donor
>> won't have a receipt to support a tax deduction.
>>
>> There are also major issues about whether the dollars are actually,
>> visibly and verifiably, moved from the telcos to World Vision.
>>
>>
>> Charlie Wong" <willwasteyou@hotmail.com> wrote in message
>> news:9tu8u0p0t2pb8js929mdna88peuav8bkee@4ax.com...
>>> SMS raises over $1.9 million for tsunami relief effort
>>> <http://www.telstra.com.au/communications/media/release.cfm?ObjectID=33054>
>>>
>>> Sydney, 12 January 2005: Australian mobile phone operators involved in
>>> the 'Australia Unites' initiative announced today they had raised
>>> $1,923,678 for the Asian tsunamis and earthquake appeal.
>>>
>>> Mobile customers sent 251,457 SMSs to donate money. Donations have
>>> been added to their next mobile phone bill or deducted from their
>>> pre-paid mobile account balance. The cost to send the SMS was waived.
>>>
>>> All money raised will be given to World Vision to assist them with
>>> their relief efforts in Asia.
>>>
>>> The initiative was the first of its kind in Australia. It was the
>>> first time all mobile companies had come together on a single project
>>> and the first time SMS had been used for a charity donation collection
>>> on such a large scale.
>>>
>>> The companies involved were: Telstra; Optus; Vodafone; 3; Orange;
>>> Virgin Mobile; AAPT; Primus Telecom; Austar; SimPlus; m8 telecom; B
>>> Digital; DigiPlus; People Telecom; Commander; Go Talk; iTel Community
>>> Telco; Saise; Tangible Solutions; and Southern Cross Mobile.
>>>
>>> The project united the whole industry. Companies that normally compete
>>> head-to-head had teams working together around the clock to get this
>>> project up and running in four days.
>>>
>>> Note:
>>> * World Vision continues to run additional fund raising efforts.
>>> Australians can contribute by contacting them directly on 13 32 40 or
>>> via www.worldvision.com.au
>>> * This initiative was run in conjunction with Channel Seven, Nine and
>>> Ten's 'Australia Unites - Reaching out to Asia' relief concert and
>>> Channel Nine's coverage of the tsunami appeal cricket match.
>>> * SMS donation lines were open from midday on Friday, 7 January and
>>> closed at midnight on Tuesday, 12 January 2005.
>>> * Legion Interactive provided the total aggregation and set-up of the
>>> premium SMS number service for all carriers involved in the Australia
>>> Unites initiative.
>>>
>>>
>>> Luisa Ford (on behalf of the Australian telcos unite initiative) 0411
>>> 024 104
>>> Sophie Cox (World Vision) 0412 670 013
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Reference Number: 000/2005
>>>
>>>
>>
>>
>
>

[thegoons]

The old Telstra Prepaid system allowed sending of SMS's to the donation
numbers, well over the balance of the account. Normally this still comes off
the balance (ie: goes into negative balance until next recharge). Too bad to
Telstra that I ported away to Vodafone before the premium SMS's hit the
account.

"Jeremy Quirke" <jqr@no-ausmobile-spam.com> wrote in message
news:41e49d14$0$32063$5a62ac22@per-qv1-newsreader-01.iinet.net.au...
> Though the telco's would have made a considerable loss on prepaid if in
> fact 100% of the proceeds went through, as a result of retail commission.
>
> "The Family" <someone@somewhere.com> wrote in message
> news:41e48129$1@duster.adelaide.on.net...
>> Suckers.
>>
>> If those donations were made from a pre-paid, chances are that the donor
>> won't have a receipt to support a tax deduction.
>>
>> There are also major issues about whether the dollars are actually,
>> visibly and verifiably, moved from the telcos to World Vision.
>>
>>
>> Charlie Wong" <willwasteyou@hotmail.com> wrote in message
>> news:9tu8u0p0t2pb8js929mdna88peuav8bkee@4ax.com...
>>> SMS raises over $1.9 million for tsunami relief effort
>>> <http://www.telstra.com.au/communications/media/release.cfm?ObjectID=33054>
>>>
>>> Sydney, 12 January 2005: Australian mobile phone operators involved in
>>> the 'Australia Unites' initiative announced today they had raised
>>> $1,923,678 for the Asian tsunamis and earthquake appeal.
>>>
>>> Mobile customers sent 251,457 SMSs to donate money. Donations have
>>> been added to their next mobile phone bill or deducted from their
>>> pre-paid mobile account balance. The cost to send the SMS was waived.
>>>
>>> All money raised will be given to World Vision to assist them with
>>> their relief efforts in Asia.
>>>
>>> The initiative was the first of its kind in Australia. It was the
>>> first time all mobile companies had come together on a single project
>>> and the first time SMS had been used for a charity donation collection
>>> on such a large scale.
>>>
>>> The companies involved were: Telstra; Optus; Vodafone; 3; Orange;
>>> Virgin Mobile; AAPT; Primus Telecom; Austar; SimPlus; m8 telecom; B
>>> Digital; DigiPlus; People Telecom; Commander; Go Talk; iTel Community
>>> Telco; Saise; Tangible Solutions; and Southern Cross Mobile.
>>>
>>> The project united the whole industry. Companies that normally compete
>>> head-to-head had teams working together around the clock to get this
>>> project up and running in four days.
>>>
>>> Note:
>>> * World Vision continues to run additional fund raising efforts.
>>> Australians can contribute by contacting them directly on 13 32 40 or
>>> via www.worldvision.com.au
>>> * This initiative was run in conjunction with Channel Seven, Nine and
>>> Ten's 'Australia Unites - Reaching out to Asia' relief concert and
>>> Channel Nine's coverage of the tsunami appeal cricket match.
>>> * SMS donation lines were open from midday on Friday, 7 January and
>>> closed at midnight on Tuesday, 12 January 2005.
>>> * Legion Interactive provided the total aggregation and set-up of the
>>> premium SMS number service for all carriers involved in the Australia
>>> Unites initiative.
>>>
>>>
>>> Luisa Ford (on behalf of the Australian telcos unite initiative) 0411
>>> 024 104
>>> Sophie Cox (World Vision) 0412 670 013
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Reference Number: 000/2005
>>>
>>>
>>
>>
>
>

[Kwyjibo]

"thegoons" <thegoons@bigpond.com> said

> The old Telstra Prepaid system allowed sending of SMS's to the donation
> numbers, well over the balance of the account. Normally this still comes
> off the balance (ie: goes into negative balance until next recharge).

Nope. It only goes into negative balance until that night, when the balance
is reset back to zero.


--

Kwyj.

(Remove your panties to reply by email)

[thegoons]

"Kwyjibo" <Kwyjibo@YourPantiesozdebate.com> wrote in message
news:Xns95DD11274EA4Assss@130.133.1.4...
> "thegoons" <thegoons@bigpond.com> said
>
>> The old Telstra Prepaid system allowed sending of SMS's to the donation
>> numbers, well over the balance of the account. Normally this still comes
>> off the balance (ie: goes into negative balance until next recharge).
>
> Nope. It only goes into negative balance until that night, when the
> balance
> is reset back to zero.

No wonder they're pushing us off!

[Michael]

"thegoons" <thegoons@bigpond.com> wrote in message
news:34k755F497cf9U1@individual.net...
> The old Telstra Prepaid system allowed sending of SMS's to the donation
> numbers, well over the balance of the account. Normally this still comes
off
> the balance (ie: goes into negative balance until next recharge). Too bad
to

It doesnt go into negative balance.
Hasnt since 2001

[Michael]

"thegoons" <thegoons@bigpond.com> wrote in message
news:34ku1fF4d3k6lU1@individual.net...
>
> "Kwyjibo" <Kwyjibo@YourPantiesozdebate.com> wrote in message
> news:Xns95DD11274EA4Assss@130.133.1.4...
> > "thegoons" <thegoons@bigpond.com> said
> >
> >> The old Telstra Prepaid system allowed sending of SMS's to the donation
> >> numbers, well over the balance of the account. Normally this still
comes
> >> off the balance (ie: goes into negative balance until next recharge).
> >
> > Nope. It only goes into negative balance until that night, when the
> > balance
> > is reset back to zero.
>
> No wonder they're pushing us off!

Nope, TPPP does the same thing

[Michael]

"Kwyjibo" <Kwyjibo@YourPantiesozdebate.com> wrote in message
news:Xns95DD11274EA4Assss@130.133.1.4...
> "thegoons" <thegoons@bigpond.com> said
>
> > The old Telstra Prepaid system allowed sending of SMS's to the donation
> > numbers, well over the balance of the account. Normally this still comes
> > off the balance (ie: goes into negative balance until next recharge).
>
> Nope. It only goes into negative balance until that night, when the
balance
> is reset back to zero.

Its usually in the morning around 10am

[Kwyjibo]

"Michael" <michael@yahoo.com> said

>
> "Kwyjibo" <Kwyjibo@YourPantiesozdebate.com> wrote in message
> news:Xns95DD11274EA4Assss@130.133.1.4...
>> "thegoons" <thegoons@bigpond.com> said
>>
>> > The old Telstra Prepaid system allowed sending of SMS's to the donation
>> > numbers, well over the balance of the account. Normally this still comes
>> > off the balance (ie: goes into negative balance until next recharge).
>>
>> Nope. It only goes into negative balance until that night, when the
> balance
>> is reset back to zero.
>
> Its usually in the morning around 10am
>

Yep, your correct. That'd be about then time the IN is updated. The batch
stream that calculates and resets back to zero runs overnight.



--

Kwyj.

(Remove your panties to reply by email)

[Michael]

> > Its usually in the morning around 10am
> >
>
> Yep, your correct. That'd be about then time the IN is updated. The batch
> stream that calculates and resets back to zero runs overnight.

Correct, unless it runs late in which the balances are not usually updated
until about 1400

[thegoons]

Well care to answer how i was able to donate $40-odd in SMS donations (with
confirmations received back) when I only had approx $10 credit left?


"Michael" <michael@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:I81Gd.119046$K7.22677@news-server.bigpond.net.au...
>
> "thegoons" <thegoons@bigpond.com> wrote in message
> news:34k755F497cf9U1@individual.net...
>> The old Telstra Prepaid system allowed sending of SMS's to the donation
>> numbers, well over the balance of the account. Normally this still comes
> off
>> the balance (ie: goes into negative balance until next recharge). Too bad
> to
>
> It doesnt go into negative balance.
> Hasnt since 2001
>
>

[Kwyjibo]

"Michael" <michael@yahoo.com> said

>> > Its usually in the morning around 10am
>> >
>>
>> Yep, your correct. That'd be about then time the IN is updated. The batch
>> stream that calculates and resets back to zero runs overnight.
>
> Correct, unless it runs late in which the balances are not usually updated
> until about 1400
>

Batch streams running late?? Never !! ;-)



--

Kwyj.

(Remove your panties to reply by email)

[Michael]

"Kwyjibo" <Kwyjibo@YourPantiesozdebate.com> wrote in message
news:Xns95E07ACC3A2F9ssss@130.133.1.4...
> "Michael" <michael@yahoo.com> said
>
> >> > Its usually in the morning around 10am
> >> >
> >>
> >> Yep, your correct. That'd be about then time the IN is updated. The
batch
> >> stream that calculates and resets back to zero runs overnight.
> >
> > Correct, unless it runs late in which the balances are not usually
updated
> > until about 1400
> >
>
> Batch streams running late?? Never !! ;-)


do you still know any of the guys in production support?

[Kwyjibo]

"Michael" <michael@yahoo.com> said

>
> "Kwyjibo" <Kwyjibo@YourPantiesozdebate.com> wrote in message
> news:Xns95E07ACC3A2F9ssss@130.133.1.4...
>> "Michael" <michael@yahoo.com> said
>>
>> >> > Its usually in the morning around 10am
>> >> >
>> >>
>> >> Yep, your correct. That'd be about then time the IN is updated. The
> batch
>> >> stream that calculates and resets back to zero runs overnight.
>> >
>> > Correct, unless it runs late in which the balances are not usually
> updated
>> > until about 1400
>> >
>>
>> Batch streams running late?? Never !! ;-)
>
>
> do you still know any of the guys in production support?
>

Is Rob M still there?



--

Kwyj.

(Remove your panties to reply by email)

[Kwyjibo]

"Michael" <michael@yahoo.com> said

>
> "Kwyjibo" <Kwyjibo@YourPantiesozdebate.com> wrote in message
> news:Xns95E07ACC3A2F9ssss@130.133.1.4...
>> "Michael" <michael@yahoo.com> said
>>
>> >> > Its usually in the morning around 10am
>> >> >
>> >>
>> >> Yep, your correct. That'd be about then time the IN is updated. The
> batch
>> >> stream that calculates and resets back to zero runs overnight.
>> >
>> > Correct, unless it runs late in which the balances are not usually
> updated
>> > until about 1400
>> >
>>
>> Batch streams running late?? Never !! ;-)
>
>
> do you still know any of the guys in production support?
>

Are Norm P and Rob M still there?






--

Kwyj.

(Remove your panties to reply by email)

[Kwyjibo]

Kwyjibo <Kwyjibo@YourPantiesozdebate.com> said

> "Michael" <michael@yahoo.com> said
>
>>
>> "Kwyjibo" <Kwyjibo@YourPantiesozdebate.com> wrote in message
>> news:Xns95E07ACC3A2F9ssss@130.133.1.4...
>>> "Michael" <michael@yahoo.com> said
>>>
>>> >> > Its usually in the morning around 10am
>>> >> >
>>> >>
>>> >> Yep, your correct. That'd be about then time the IN is updated. The
>> batch
>>> >> stream that calculates and resets back to zero runs overnight.
>>> >
>>> > Correct, unless it runs late in which the balances are not usually
>> updated
>>> > until about 1400
>>> >
>>>
>>> Batch streams running late?? Never !! ;-)
>>
>>
>> do you still know any of the guys in production support?
>>
>
> Are Norm P and Rob M still there?
>

Actually, looking at whois.ibm.com it looks like they've changed location,
based on phone numbers.


--

Kwyj.

(Remove your panties to reply by email)

[Michael]

"Kwyjibo" <Kwyjibo@YourPantiesozdebate.com> wrote in message
news:Xns95E1E0BC983C0ssss@130.133.1.4...
> "Michael" <michael@yahoo.com> said
>
> >
> > "Kwyjibo" <Kwyjibo@YourPantiesozdebate.com> wrote in message
> > news:Xns95E07ACC3A2F9ssss@130.133.1.4...
> >> "Michael" <michael@yahoo.com> said
> >>
> >> >> > Its usually in the morning around 10am
> >> >> >
> >> >>
> >> >> Yep, your correct. That'd be about then time the IN is updated. The
> > batch
> >> >> stream that calculates and resets back to zero runs overnight.
> >> >
> >> > Correct, unless it runs late in which the balances are not usually
> > updated
> >> > until about 1400
> >> >
> >>
> >> Batch streams running late?? Never !! ;-)
> >
> >
> > do you still know any of the guys in production support?
> >
>
> Are Norm P and Rob M still there?

Rob M's the team leader still. Norm P, I think he's in DBA now?

[Michael]

"Kwyjibo" <Kwyjibo@YourPantiesozdebate.com> wrote in message
news:Xns95E1E14B7EB1Bssss@130.133.1.4...
> Kwyjibo <Kwyjibo@YourPantiesozdebate.com> said
>
> > "Michael" <michael@yahoo.com> said
> >
> >>
> >> "Kwyjibo" <Kwyjibo@YourPantiesozdebate.com> wrote in message
> >> news:Xns95E07ACC3A2F9ssss@130.133.1.4...
> >>> "Michael" <michael@yahoo.com> said
> >>>
> >>> >> > Its usually in the morning around 10am
> >>> >> >
> >>> >>
> >>> >> Yep, your correct. That'd be about then time the IN is updated. The
> >> batch
> >>> >> stream that calculates and resets back to zero runs overnight.
> >>> >
> >>> > Correct, unless it runs late in which the balances are not usually
> >> updated
> >>> > until about 1400
> >>> >
> >>>
> >>> Batch streams running late?? Never !! ;-)
> >>
> >>
> >> do you still know any of the guys in production support?
> >>
> >
> > Are Norm P and Rob M still there?
> >
>
> Actually, looking at whois.ibm.com it looks like they've changed location,
> based on phone numbers.

dunno where they were before, but i think they are at elizabeth st
currently, with some at latrobe str