We are the UK regulator for content, goods and services charged to a phone bill. We act in the interests of consumers.

Phone-paid services are the goods and services that can be bought by charging the cost to the phone bill or pre-pay account. They include charity donations by text, music streaming, broadcast competitions, directory enquiries, voting on TV talent shows and in-app purchases. In law, phone-paid services are referred to as premium rate services (PRS).

PSA's strategic purpose

Guiding principle

We regulate the market in the consumer interest. 

Core values

Impact

• proactive, enabling, solutions focussed and goal oriented
• tailoring our approach to achieve the best impact and outcome in the consumer interest.

Intelligence

• enquiring and inquisitive
• thinking creatively, working in an agile and flexible way to find innovative solutions and approaches.

Integrity

• honest, proportionate and unbiased
• respectful, understanding, and inclusive.

Governance

Phone-paid Services Authority is a non-profit making company limited by guarantee. Our Governance statement explains how we are run.

We are appointed by Ofcom to regulate phone-paid services in the UK. Our Code of Practice is approved by Ofcom. Ofcom also approves our annual Business Plan and Budget. Our working agreement with Ofcom is set out in a Memorandum of Understanding.

We are a public body and an arm's-length body of DSIT. Our working agreement with DSIT is set out in a Framework Document.

We are principally funded by a levy on the value of services provided, which is collected by network operators. Fines and administrative charges on providers who breach the PSA Code of Practice are held as retained funds and these are used to offset the amount of levy required annually.

The Board is accountable for the performance of the PSA and oversees the strategic direction of the organisation. Two sub-committees, a Resources Committee and an Audit Risk & Corporate Governance Committee, undertake specific delegated duties on behalf of the Board.

The PSA’s adjudicatory function is undertaken by the independent Code Adjudication Panel.

To bring together an overview of our policies, procedures, meetings of minutes, annual reports and financial information, we maintain a publication scheme.

Phone-paid Services Authority is a non-profit making company limited by guarantee.
Registered office:
Phone-paid Services Authority
c/o Ofcom
Riverside House
2a Southwark Bridge Road
London
SE1 9HA