Cellphone technology rings in pornography in USA
By Gary Strauss, USA TODAY
Quickly developing into big business overseas, cellphone pornography is a step closer to taking off in the USA.

Porn star Ron Jeremy licensed his name to RJ Mobile, which offers adult content in Britain and Holland.
David Kramer, AP

Cingular Wireless, the nation's largest cellphone service provider, quietly has launched filtering devices and password-enabled blockers that help thwart underage consumers from buying adult content.

The absence of V-chip-style parental controls largely has kept U.S. consumers from using cellphones to access porn, but Cingular, along with rivals, could launch a huge new porn platform.

The evolution of video-capable wireless devices has made mobile porn an emerging cultural phenomenon and booming enterprise. Global 2005 sales will hit $1 billion, up 175% from 2004, says Juniper Research. U.S. sales are just $30 million, mostly because carriers, fearful of a backlash, haven't provided easy access to X-rated theater.

Web-enabled phones can download porn from the Internet, but access is cumbersome, and carriers don't share fees with content providers. By offering "on deck" portals, carriers can reap fat user fees.

The Cellular Telecommunications Industry Association recently issued content ratings standards, prompting Cingular's move.

"Certainly, this is going to make it easier to view porn in more places than ever," says Pamela Paul, author of Pornified: How Pornography Is Transforming Our Lives, Our Relationships and Our Families.

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