It is always darkest just before the day dawneth.
Thomas Fuller
July 22 saw me announce the end of Commsrisk, and the end of the Risk & Assurance Group (RAG) along with it. That announcement was not made lightly; the history of Commsrisk dates back to 2006, and RAG was founded even earlier, in 2003. I feel a mixture of surprise and delight at sharing the news that Commsrisk and RAG have been reprieved by the unexpected intervention of the Mobile Ecosystem Forum (MEF), a not-for-profit trade association. MEF has offered to breathe new life into the twin Commsrisk/RAG ventures by providing the following.
- Access to regulators. MEF is a persuasive influence on comms regulators and governments as a result of its previous successes, including its contribution to the reduction of nuisance messages received by consumers. One of the reasons for discontinuing Commsrisk was the need to reorient towards engaging with the national authorities who must prescribe the controls needed to protect ordinary people and comms businesses from levels of crime that have grown out of control. MEF creates an opportunity to do that whilst marshaling support from Commsrisk readers. More of Commsrisk’s news will be about the ways MEF is lobbying for changes that are necessary whilst steering regulators away from some of the more outlandish proposals for how to tackle the industry’s woes.
- Action as well as words. One of my most frequent criticisms is that various associations and self-proclaimed experts compete for attention without seeking to deliver any concrete accomplishments. Nothing has ever been achieved by repeating the word ‘collaboration’. Real collaboration can only occur when there is a genuine intention to do something. MEF’s pioneering work in executing new controls like their SMS Sender ID registries is an example of how they foster cross-industry collaboration that delivers a real difference to the comms ecosystem and its customers.
- Stable and diverse sources of income. RAG was founded in 2003 but only started to achieve its potential when it expanded its portfolio of sponsors as part of an ambitious program of conferences that rotated from continent to continent. It did not charge admittance fees to telcos as part of a strategy that delivered a rapid increase in the number of attendees. This also involved appealing to many professionals who had been excluded from other industry events. The strategy was sound, until the pandemic struck. Membership fees for MEF are very affordable, and the reliable income that MEF generates from over 200 members spread across 45 countries means their nonprofit model is robust, as well as benefiting from the consistent support of many of the comms industry’s biggest players. Their membership extends to allied industries which also have a stake in accurate and reliable communications, such as the banking sector. And MEF’s focus on action means they are an incubator for activities that further diversify their revenue base.
- The same progress-oriented mentality. One of the things I always loathed about certain industry associations is that they will thank an individual for making a significant contribution, then chuck them out as soon as they become unemployed. An expert who works for a telco for 20 years does not suddenly become worthless just because their job fell victim to corporate cost-cutting. MEF wants to work with people who get things done, and that means appreciating the worth of individuals who have already proven themselves through their actions. I like this aspect of MEF’s culture, and it sets them apart from associations that do not cultivate the resource that is most vital to success: human beings who possess the imagination, grit and resolve needed to overcome the many obstacles in their way.
Commsrisk will return soon, though in a different format because it will become a once-a-week news digest for professionals wanting to stay abreast of risk developments in the communications sector and allied industries. Spending slightly less time on producing output for Commsrisk means I will devote more time to engaging with regulators. This is vital; many nations are increasing the tempo at which they evaluate and mandate controls that are supposed to protect consumers and address deep-rooted industry challenges. Conversations with regulators will remain off-the-record, but the increased regulatory activity means there will be even more news to report than before.
RAG is also coming back, in the guise of augmenting MEF’s already impressive schedule of conferences and meetings held all around the world. My first involvement will come at MEF Connects Anti-Fraud, to be held in Brussels on September 10. The MEF team has lined up an impressive array of speakers for that event, and there is no attendance fee, so register for one of the few remaining seats whilst there are still some available.
Stay tuned for updates. This site will receive a quick makeover and then resume service as an interim step before Commsrisk transitions to its new home within the official MEF website. The hard work has just begun… again.
