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The Phone-paid Services Authority previously investigated and sanctioned Heidi Corkhill for providing an Information, Connection and Signposting Service to UK consumers, as a sole ...

The PSA has published its Annual Report for the 2023/24 financial year, which details the PSA’s activities regulating the phone-paid services market.

The Phone-paid Services Authority has fined GMTech Media OU £650,000 and prohibited the merchant from operating in the market for five years.

Following the laying of the Regulation of Premium Rate Service Order 2024 (the Order) in Parliament on 24 October, the PSA is in the process of transferring operational responsibil...

Ofcom has published its consultation statement on the future of regulation of phone-paid services.

The PSA has concerns regarding alerts upon connection to ICSS (also referred to as IVRs).

The PSA and Telecom2 Limited have reached a settlement in the investigation into Telecom2's adequacy of its risk assessment and control (RAC) and Telecom2’s failure to provide info...

PSA publishes its Annual Market Review today, conducted by Analysys Mason.

Heidi Corkhill trading as Call Support was investigated by the PSA for providing an Information, Connection and Signposting Service (ICSS).

We are today publishing an update on the impact of our regulatory activity in relation to Information, Connection and Sign-posting Services (ICSS).

We recently consulted on the registration fee as part of our business plan & budget consultation.

The Phone-paid Services Authority (PSA) today publishes its business plan and budget for 2024/25.

The PSA is consulting on its Business Plan and Budget for 2024/25.

We are publishing minor changes to paragraphs 362 and 367 of Code 15 Procedures introducing the recording of paper-based hearings and altering the procedure for requests relating t...

The PSA has published its Annual report for the 2022/23 financial year, which details the PSA’s activities regulating the phone-paid services market.

Today Ofcom have published a consultation to transfer regulation for PRS from PSA to Ofcom.

The Phone-paid Services Authority (PSA) has banned Ian Conway from the premium rate services market for six years.

The PSA and SB7 Mobile Limited (SB7) have reached a settlement in the investigation into SB7’s failure to provide to comply with a direction for information – the service provider ...

New Code Requirements relating to ICSS (Information, Connection and Sign-posting Services) will come into force on 18 September 2023. We expect all ICSS providers to be working to...

Following our Statement on Code 15 changes to address detriment in the ICSS market, the PSA has updated Transparency and Fairness guidance to assist ICSS providers with implementin...

PSA publishes its Annual Market Review today, conducted by Analysys Mason.

The Phone-paid Services Authority (PSA) today announces minor amendments to the Code to address consumer detriment in the Information, Connection, and Sign-posting Services (ICSS) ...

The Phone-paid Services Authority (PSA) has banned Ben Dewhurst from the premium rate services market for three years.

The PSA and Kalastia Consulting Limited (Kalastia) have reached a settlement in the investigation into Kalastia’s failure to provide information and its concealment/provision of fa...

The Phone-paid Services Authority (PSA) has banned Adrian Smith from the premium rate services market for five years.

The Phone-paid Services Authority (PSA) has banned Matthew Penny from the premium rate services market for five years.

I haven’t blogged for a long while and I thought now would be an opportunity to set out our priorities for the year ahead.

The PSA has serious concerns regarding the promotion and operation of ICSS.

The Phone-paid Services Authority has fined Connect You Limited £750,000 and prohibited the merchant from operating in the market for three years.

The Phone-paid Services Authority (PSA) today publishes its business plan and budget for 2023/24. The plan and budget have been approved by Ofcom, following public consultation.

We have made minor amendments to some provisions of the Code of Practice under Paragraph 6.4.5* in order to address typographical errors and provide additional clarity.

The Phone-paid Services Authority has fined Heidi Corkhill trading as Call Support £1.15m and prohibited the merchant from operating in the market for one year.

The PSA reviewed the consumer experience of ICSS over a period of 12 months and found consumer detriment is widespread.

We are today publishing summary findings from the Information, Connection and Sign-posting Services (ICSS) thematic review.

The proposed PSA budget is £3,797,494, which represents a saving of 13% in real terms over 2022/23 and 41% (£2.7m) since 2015/16.

The PSA has published its Annual report for the 2021/22 financial year, which details the PSA’s activities regulating the phone-paid services market.

The Phone-paid Services Authority (PSA) has banned Darren Hodes from the premium rate services market for five years.

The Phone-paid Services Authority (PSA) today publishes a general permission for SMS-based virtual chat services following consultation.

With Christmas fast approaching, a delivery scam hoax is doing the rounds again. As has been reported by Action Fraud and us, this scam is about an 09 number that we shut down in D...

The Phone-paid Services Authority has fined and prohibited Numbers Plus for breaches of its Risk Assessment and Risk Control obligations.

We are announcing the postponement of this year’s forum to align with Ofcom’s forthcoming consultation on the future of PRS regulation.

Today we have published a short consultation that proposes to grant providers of SMS virtual chat services general permission to operate such services without strict adherence to R...

- Market declines 6.3% in FY2021/22 - Numbers of consumers using phone-paid services continues to grow - Market expected to be broadly flat in the medium term

3 October 2022 update: We are announcing the postponement of this year’s forum to align with Ofcom’s forthcoming consultation on the future of PRS regulation. We will announce a ...

The PSA has fined Surestream Digital Limited £160,000 for breaches of its Code of Practice. Surestream ran a lottery results alert service that charged consumers £1.75 for text mes...

The PSA and Dynamic Mobile Billing (DMB) have reached a settlement in the investigation into DMB’s due diligence, risk assessment and control (DDRAC).

We are today announcing the launch of a thematic review into Information, Connection and Sign-posting Services (ICSS). The thematic review is being launched by PSA as we remain con...

The Phone-paid Services Authority, the organisation which regulates premium rate services, and Ofcom have announced today that regulatory responsibility will transfer to Ofcom in l...

Following public consultation and Ofcom approval, we are publishing small clarificatory changes to section 3.13 of Code 15. These amendments will come into force on 18 May 2022.

15th Code of Practice now in force!

The PSA Board has invited David Edmonds to remain as Chair of the PSA for a further year to establish and embed the new regulatory framework under Code 15.

The Phone-paid Services Authority (PSA) today publishes its business plan and budget for 2022/23. The plan and budget have been approved by Ofcom, following public consultation.

The Phone-paid Services Authority (PSA) today announces a revised set of administrative charges, which will apply once Code 15 comes into force.

The Phone-paid Services Authority (PSA) today publishes documents supporting Code 15, coming into force on 5 April 2022.

The Phone-paid Services Authority (PSA) has fined Embill Services Limited after investigating its service providing consumers with unsolicited sexual entertainment content.

The Phone-paid Services Authority (PSA) is consulting on a minor change to service-specific Requirements in section 3.13 of Code 15.

We are holding a series of webinars as part of the new Code 15 coming into force on 5 April 2022.

The Phone-paid Services Authority (PSA) has fined Gothamiax Limited after investigating its subscription alerts service which provided consumers with links to websites offering dis...

The focus of our activity will ensure that Code 15 is implemented effectively.

The Phone-paid Services Authority (PSA) has banned Ms Natalie Ramsey and Mr Stoyancho Mitev from the premium rate services market for five years.

Company also banned from the market for five years.

The Phone-paid Services Authority (PSA) has banned Bianca Pahonea from the premium rate services market for five years.

The PSA has published its Annual report for the 2020/21 financial year, which details the PSA’s activities regulating the phone-paid services market

The Phone-paid Services Authority (PSA) is consulting on new guidance that supports some of the new Standards and Requirements that will be introduced by Code 15.

The Phone-paid Services Authority (PSA) today publishes a new Code of Practice and accompanying Statement. The new Code (Code 15) will come into force on 5 April 2022.

I am really delighted that we have published our finalised 15th Code of Practice together with the Statement following our consultation on the draft Code.

- UK consumers spend £628 million on phone-paid services in 2020/21. - Charity text donation performs particularly strongly, with a 64% jump in donations. - Revenue-share service...

Company also banned from the market for six years.

The PSA Board, with the agreement of Ofcom, has invited David Edmonds to extend his term of office as Chairman of the PSA until April 2022 to oversee the implementation of its prop...

Tribunal had originally fined TCS Combined Solutions Ltd £885,000.

Thanks to everybody who came to our recent round of webinars that we held as part of our consultation on Code 15. It was good to see you all – albeit virtually – and for the great ...

Company also banned from the market for five years.

Company agreed it committed three regulatory breaches and has developed a remediation plan.

Thanks to all of you who attended our forum last week. While an online event isn’t quite the same as meeting in person, we thought it was great opportunity to engage with you and t...

The Phone-paid Services Authority has appointed Desiree Artesi and Simon Lewis as legally qualified chairs of the Code Adjudication Panel (CAP).

Provider had registered its service as an IT helpline, but it was actually an unauthorised financial service.

We are holding a series of webinars as part of the PSA’s consultation on a new Code.

Following our Business Plan and Budget consultation, we’re increasing the registration fee from £155 + VAT to £200 + VAT as of today.

Join us for general regulatory updates from the PSA and the latest developments of Code 15, our new Code of Practice.

Review of Code of Practice is the most comprehensive in more than a decade.

At the PSA, we are constantly looking to how we can improve the way we do things to protect consumers of phone-paid services. I’m therefore delighted that we have published a draft...

Tribunal found three breaches proven after receiving 112 complaints about the service

Webserve CMS charged people for connection to phone lines that were usually free to call.

The plan and budget have been approved by Ofcom, following public consultation.

Entertainmob Kommunikation and New Level Ventures also banned from the market for a total of ten years.

Company had previously been fined and banned after charging people for connection to HM Passport Office.

We have been informed of an issue that affected a large number of O2 and Three customers over the Christmas period.

TCS Combined Solutions Ltd failed to obtain consumer consent from all subscribers before sending chargeable texts containing voucher alerts and discount codes.

All providers of phone-paid services must comply with the PSA Code of Practice from 1 January 2021 regardless of the country in which they are established and services they provide

Phone-paid services regulator sets out its proposed objectives and budget for the year.

Ravi Kumar Metta prohibited from providing or being involved in phone-paid services for five years.

The Phone-paid Services Authority (PSA) has prohibited Peter Lyons from providing or being involved in phone-paid services for five years.

We’re holding a webinar to update industry stakeholders on the development of Code 15 – our new Code of Practice.

We’re developing our next regulatory framework, Code 15 and we would like your help. We're holding an online webinar for interested consumers and consumer organisations to seek inp...

The Phone-paid Services Authority (PSA) has banned Devon Kelly from the premium rate services market for five years.

The PSA has published its Annual report for the 2019/20 financial year, which details the PSA’s activities regulating the phone-paid services market.

We are aware of an issue on the Moblix Media service that affected large numbers of consumers over the weekend. This issue is now being investigated.

The Phone-paid Services Authority (PSA) has banned Lara Simon from the premium rate services market for five years.

The Phone-paid Services Authority is announcing the appointment of Winnie Palmer to its Board of Directors.

The Phone-paid Services Authority (PSA) has reviewed its approach to vulnerability, to make sure that it is aligned with best practice, supports consumers, and provides stakeholder...

Many regulators have been wrestling with how we can support vulnerable consumers to use the goods and services that we regulate.

The Phone-paid Services Authority (PSA) has appointed Alison Sansome and Desiree Artesi to the Code Adjudication Panel (CAP). The CAP hears and adjudicates on cases against compan...

Conducted for us by Analysys Mason, the Annual Market Review (AMR) provides an overview of the phone-paid services market, including size, key trends and consumers’ experiences. He...

New report finds the market outperformed expectations in FY2019/20.

Following ITV’s disclosure to Ofcom in relation to potential non-compliance with the Broadcasting Code, Ann Cook has temporarily stepped back from her position on the PSA Board of ...

The Phone-paid Services Authority (PSA) has banned two individuals, Leon Wander and Ofir Sarusy, from having any involvement in the phone-paid the market for five years each.

You may have received a message encouraging you to call a premium rate number to retrieve a voicemail, but these are not from Zoom.

The Phone-paid Services Authority (PSA) has imposed a number of sanctions on Plus que PRO SAS, which unfairly charged consumers £2.50 a call for connection to well-known high stree...

The Phone-paid Services Authority (PSA) has banned two companies – ECN Digital Ltd and Inter Inventory Company Limited – from the market for five years after they failed to comply ...

We have launched a new exemption to support the provision of society lottery services paid for via phone-payment.

The Phone-paid Services Authority (PSA) has fined and banned Salvatet Inversiones SL from the market, after it committed four very serious breaches of regulation.

Say goodbye to phone bill shocks and credit calamities – a lesson plan for 8 –11 year olds

We’re holding another round of webinars to seek your input on our new regulatory framework, Code 15. 

The Phone-paid Services Authority (PSA) has fined Irich Info Technology Ltd after it committed two breaches of its Code, including contacting consumers without proper consent.

Advice for consumers to keep unwanted phone charges at bay at this difficult time.

Many of you joined our webinars over the past few weeks to share your thoughts and insights with us about Code 15 – the most comprehensive review of our regulatory framework in ten...

The Phone-paid Services Authority (PSA) has fined Itech Logic Ltd after it committed three breaches of its Code, which included failing to handle consumers’ complaints properly.

At this time of year, I usually blog about our new business plan priorities for the new financial year but, after four weeks working remotely, I thought it would be a good time to ...

The global Covid-19 pandemic is unprecedented. At the PSA, we are acutely aware that this crisis has presented significant challenge and strain on people, families, organisations a...

As we had to cancel the forum, we are now holding webinars in its place. We will use these to seek your views on our existing regulatory framework as well as our prospective one.

MobBill, a Level 1 provider, committed three breaches of regulation.

Following the Government’s latest Covid-19 advice, all PSA staff will be working remotely until further notice. Our core regulatory functions, including our call centre, service as...

EVENT CANCELLED

In light of our decision to cancel the forum, we are making some of the content available online.

Company agreed it committed four regulatory breaches.

Regulator has decided to maintain the Special condition in its revised form.

In light of the ongoing situation with Covid-19, we are extending the deadline for responses by two weeks. The deadline for responses is now 23 April 2020. We look forward to heari...

Code review is the most comprehensive in a decade.

Today, we’ve introduced revised guidance to ensure that providers obtain robust and informed consumer consent to be charged, and that payment platforms operate to a high standard.

These changes will ensure payment platforms are operated to a high standard and ensure consumers give informed consent.

The Phone-paid Services Authority has been dealing with more complaints about subscription services than any other issue, including from people who have been charged for subscripti...

Today we published our latest Tribunal decision, against the Level 2 provider Unicate Ltd. The Tribunal upheld several breaches of the PSA Code of Practice against the provider and...

Tribunal found Unicate’s conduct “demonstrated a fundamental disregard” for phone-paid services regulation.

Happy New Year everyone. Our Business Plan and Budget 2020/21 is currently out for consultation, and if you are intending to submit a response, the closing date is 23 January 2020.

The guidance seeks to ensure consumers are refunded quickly, easy and conveniently.

The Phone-paid Services Authority has fined ECN Digital Ltd £250,000 for five breaches of the Code.

The Phone-paid Services Authority (PSA) is undertaking a comprehensive review of its regulatory approach, following the recent introduction of its new strategic purpose.

New Special conditions for Information Connection and Signposting Services (ICSS) come into force today

The Phone-paid Services Authority today publishes for consultation its Business Plan and Budget for 2020/21

Today the Phone-paid Services Authority publishes its new strategic purpose, which takes account of a changing market and consumer behaviour and expectations.

- Umbrella Support fined £200,000 and banned from the market for five years - Company tricked consumers into calling HMPO via an 09 numbers at £1.50/minute when seeking assistance ...

Tomorrow, 1st November, our new Special conditions for subscription services come into effect.

The PSA has issued fines totalling £750,000 to three different companies in separate cases – all for billing consumers’ phone bills without their consent.

The PSA has decided to re-consult on a variation to the original proposal for ICSS11 for providers who operate with per call tariffs as a result of evidence submitted in the previo...

Following the review of phone-paid subscription services, the PSA has made consequential amendments to its App Store Exemption Notice.

The Phone-paid Services Authority (PSA) is introducing new Special conditions for Information Connection and Signposting Services (ICSS), covering all ICSS regardless of the number...

The Phone-paid Services Authority is announcing the appointment of Mark Thomson to its Board of Directors.

The PSA is extending the implementation date for Special conditions RDS6(d) and RDS7(c) for specific providers, which will now come into force on 6 January 2020.

We've updated our Guidance for industry on the Retention of Data, especially consumer data and how long it should be stored

Series of changes and actions from regulator to protect consumers

£600,000 fine and a two-year prohibition from the market to Veoo Ltd, a payment platform provider enabling other companies to bill consumers’ phone bills

Two named individuals, Eliad Shenar and Meital Shenar, have been banned from the UK phone-paid services market for five years

You have until 02 December 2019 to update your service details and comply with this new Code requirement.

Futuresight and PSA research into consumer attitudes to refunds

At the PSA, we hear from consumers every week about their experiences with phone-paid services. Many report confusion or disappointment about the way their request for a refund has...

The PSA’s Director of Policy and External Relations Simon Towler comments on some of the findings from the PSA’s Annual Market Review and what they mean for consumers, industry and...

Heart Communications Limited has been banned from having any involvement in the phone-paid services market for five years by the regulator, the Phone-paid services Authority.

The Phone-paid Services Authority (PSA) has published its Annual Market Review (AMR) for the 2018/19 financial year.

The Phone-paid Services Authority (PSA) is consulting on new General Guidance for Consent to Charge mechanics within the phone-paid services industry.

The PSA is hosting a workshop to support implementation of the changes to phone-paid subscriptions regulation.

The PSA is hosting a workshop to support implementation of the changes to phone-paid subscriptions regulation.

Following a full examination of services which make recurring charges to a consumer’s phone bill in exchange for digital content - such as games, music streaming or videos - the Ph...

Today we’re introducing new regulatory requirements for phone-paid subscription services. These are charges made to a phone bill for access to content on a subscription basis.

The Phone-paid Services Authority (PSA) has issued a formal reprimand and a five-year prohibition from the phone-paid services market to a company that had previously been issued w...

The PSA has published its Annual Report for the 2018/19 financial year, including key financial and operational data, market insights and updates on the PSA’s activities regulating...

The Phone-paid Services Authority (PSA) has issued a £200,000 fine to a company which was found to have misled consumers and charged them for access to the ‘Applicateka’ multimedia...

New principles adopted for prioritising cases allocated to investigation

PSA issues fine, bar on service, and general refunds order to company which placed messages on phone lines instructing callers to dial a premium rate Directory Enquiries number

The Phone-paid Services Authority (PSA) has opened a consultation on revised Special conditions for ICSS

Pro Money Holdings Limited has been issued with a formal reprimand and an 8-year ban from the phone-paid services market by the regulator, the Phone-paid Services Authority (PSA).

In February this year, the Phone-paid Services Authority (PSA) published a consultation with proposals for changes to our regulation of phone-paid subscription services – all servi...

The Phone-paid Services Authority (PSA) has published an addendum to its consultation on changes to the regulatory framework for phone-paid subscription services.

Industry event on subscription services proposals, hosted at the PSA offices in Canary Wharf

PSA issues £375,000 fine to company which operated the Best VIP Games subscription content service.

Spring is upon us, and that means that, like most organisations, the PSA is now looking ahead to the new Financial Year. And we’ll being hitting the ground running, as we bring abo...

- PSA’s operational budget for the 2019/20 financial year is £3,939,475 - this budget represents a 1% saving in real terms over 2018/19 and 21% (£1m) real term savings in total sin...

The PSA is consulting on proposals to introduce new Special conditions for all phone-paid subscription services. This follows the review that commenced in September last year.

You might be aware that we’ve been reviewing the regulation of phone-paid subscriptions to ensure consumers have trust and confidence in them. In doing so, we are looking to ensure...

Company banned from phone-paid services market, after being issued with three substantial fines for charging consumers without their consent in October 2018

Five-year prohibitions and fines issued to two companies for failing to comply with PSA sanctions

In this consultation, we put forward proposals to clarify the PSA’s expectations as to how long providers will retain certain types of Relevant Data, including personal data, so th...

New Special conditions come into effect to prevent harm caused by potentially misleading advertising of Directory Enquiries services.

Happy New Year everyone, and wishing you the very best for 2019. This time last year I wrote about the role that the collection of fines played within our business planning conside...

Ofcom has today announced that, following its consultation, it is extending the scope of the PRS Condition to include all Information, Connection and Signposting Services (ICSS) wi...

This compliance update seeks to inform and remind providers of Information, Connection and Signposting Services (ICSS) operating on all UK number ranges of their obligations under ...

The Phone-paid Services Authority (PSA) has issued a substantial fine of £250,000 to a company which signed consumers up to a ‘Glamour’ video service without their consent.

The Phone-paid Services Authority today publishes for consultation its Business Plan and Budget for 2019/20.

New Special conditions to prevent harm caused by potentially misleading advertising of premium rate Directory Enquiries services using inactive geographic numbers and to make price...

The Phone-paid Services Authority is announcing the re-appointment of Ann Cook to its Board of Directors.

On 17 August 2018 we opened a consultation on reviewing the Annex to the existing Digital Marketing and Promotions General Guidance.

Company misled consumers into calling premium-rate numbers believing they were being provided with remote employment opportunities

A company which billed consumers for subscriptions to digital content without their consent has been issued with fines of £250,000, £350,000 and £440,000 in three separate cases by...

A company which misled people into calling premium rate numbers after they’d misdialled geographic numbers has been fined £200,000 and prohibited from the market by the regulator, ...

A company which charged consumers for connection to customer service helplines via premium-rate 087 numbers has been issued with a substantial fine by the regulator, the Phone-paid...

Over 23.5 million of us use phone-paid services across the UK every year. That’s a big number and represents a market worth hundreds of millions of pounds.

The Phone-paid Services Authority has published its Annual Market Review, conducted by Mobilesquared.

Continuing our series of blogs examining how the PSA advances the interests of consumers, Policy and External Relations Director Simon Towler explains how consumer contacts help us...

As part of a new series of blogs examining how the PSA supports consumers, Policy and External Relations Director Simon Towler takes a look at refunds and how consumers should appr...

After extensive consultation, we’re updating our Registration requirements for providers operating in the phone-paid service market.

Phone-paid subscriptions provide a method for charging an increasing range of content, goods and services to your phone bill.

The PSA is reviewing its regulation of phone-paid services offered on a subscription basis and has issued a Call for Inputs.

The PSA is issuing amedments to the Notice on Specified Charges, following consultation with industry.

The new Annex is on Direct Buy Marketing and is intended to support providers of phone-paid services to use this form of marketing compliantly with the PSA Code of Practice.

Join us for updates from the PSA, the latest consumer engagement data and discussions on subscriptions services and the post-purchase consumer experience.

We are introducing new tailored conditions to support services which raise money for good causes through raffles and similar competitions.

The report details another succesful year regulating the phone-paid services market.

Last year, we launched a registration pilot that intended to make it easier for Level 1s to ‘on-board’ clients that may want to use operator billing as a payment option, among othe...

Today we are consulting on introducing two new Special conditions for Directory Enquiry services. This follows a review of the sector that we launched alongside Ofcom in May last y...

Recent changes to UK law have introduced maximum spending caps - per individual transaction and for accumulated transactions per month - for phone-paid transactions, which are not ...

The Phone-paid Services Authority (PSA) announces the reappointment of David Edmonds CBE as Chairman of the Board. David was appointed on an initial three-year term in 2015 and wil...

As part of extending the consultation period, we are hosting two identical workshops (27 & 28 June) for service providers to understand the proposed changes and collectively respon...

As part of extending the consultation period, we are hosting two identical workshops (27 & 28 June) for service providers to understand the proposed changes and collectively respon...

At PSA, we closely monitor the phone-paid services market, tracking emerging trends, examining payment technologies, and listening directly to the concerns of thousands of consumer...

In January 2018, we launched a consultation on new information we want to require when you register a phone-paid service.

In our most recent blog, PSA chairman David Edmonds set out his vision for the year ahead. I want to use this blog to set out our near-term priorities in a bit more detail.

Many of us don’t check everything we see on search engines in exhaustive detail. If you’re looking for information, you’ll most likely put some terms into a Google search bar, and ...

The risk of malware attack is an ever present concern in the online environment. Android & malware attacks have been known to affect UK consumers in a variety of forms from spying ...

As many providers within the phone-paid services industry will already be aware, the law surrounding data protection will change shortly. The General Data Protection Regulation (EU...

The Phone-paid Services Authority (PSA) has announced its budget and business plan for the coming financial year, after formal approval by Ofcom and consultation with stakeholders....

The PSA received 47 complaints from consumers about a competition service charged at £4.50 per week operating on shared shortcode 82225, under the brand name Comphouse Competition...

- Large fine issued for company operating 118 820 - Company directed consumers to its directory enquiry number - It advertised the service by claiming there was a fault on the ge...

We've opened a consultation on new proposed Special conditions for society lotteries.

We're proposing new Special conditions for society lotteries - a significant development for the phone-paid services market and charity fundraising.

The Phone-paid Services Authority is aware of an increase in the use of direct buy advertising¹ in certain sectors of the phone-paid services industry, including games a...

A (slightly belated) happy new year to everyone from the PSA. The Phone-paid Services Authority’s vision is a healthy and innovative market in which consumers can charge content, g...

I hope you saw our consultation on our 2018/19 business plan and budget. It sets out our proposed budget and priorities for the next financial year. The consultation closes on Janu...

We’ve recently reviewed the information we require from service providers on registration.

The Phone-paid Services Authority today publishes for consultation its Business Plan and Budget 2018/19.

Today we set out how we intend to work to deliver our mission in the next financial year as well as what we have achieved this year.

Thanks to all of you who came to Canary Wharf on the 9th for the industry forum. As ever, it was great to see so many of you. Our vision is a healthy and innovative market in which...

Free seminar. Location: PSA, 40 Bank Street, London, E14 5NR Do you find our investigations and enforcement procedures confusing? Not sure what to do when we contact you about y...

Join us for updates from the PSA, the latest mobile consumer data from Deloitte and two discussion panels.

We commissioned some stakeholder research to gain an independent, objective view of perceptions of us, to identify areas where we could improve and benchmark our performance. Here ...

We have launched a new six month pilot intended to help providers grow operator billing.

Here at the Phone-paid Services Authority we’re committed to furthering the interests of consumers by encouraging competition, growth and innovation. Indeed, in our view, good regu...

The Annual Market Review is our independent view of the phone-paid services market, conducted for us by Mobilesquared. For anyone with an interest in the market, this year’s makes ...

Charity text donations remains largest sector in the phone-paid services market whilst voice revenues continue to decline

Charity text donations remains largest sector in the phone-paid services market whilst voice revenues continue to decline

Today we have published our final statement on proposals to enhance the effectiveness of sanctions. In March, we launched a consultation on our proposals, reviewing whether our cur...

Back in April, I promised to blog occasionally. Today we published our 2016/17 Annual Report and I thought it was a good opportunity to share some personal perspectives again.

Today we publish our 2016/17 Annual Report, which provides an overview of our work in the last financial year and includes our audited annual accounts.

Today we have published research into customer care and complaint handling across the phone-paid services market.

Today we published our latest piece of research, which looks into customer care and complaint handling in the phone-paid services market.

Comic Relief’s Red Nose Day, took place back on Friday 24 March and saw people up and down the country doing what they could to raise money for charity. Figures recently released b...

The Phone-paid Services Authority (PSA) today appoints Ian Walden as a legal chair of the Code Adjudication Panel (CAP).

If you missed the forum yesterday, here’s a quick round up of the day and five key take-aways from it. You can also find my speech and the slide deck below.

It is with great sadness that we announce that our former chairman, Andrew Pinder, died on Sunday 9th April after a short illness.

Today, the Phone-paid Services Authority (PSA) has issued a fine of £645,000 to a company found to have breached the rules protecting consumers from being misled into calling 09 nu...

Have you ever felt confused when looking up the contact number of a company, finding various telephone numbers and not knowing which one to choose? If you searched online for a con...

For the PSA, the new financial year starts on 1 April. I am half way through my three year appointment so this seemed a good day to write my first blog. I’ll be doing this occasi...

Today the Phone-paid Services Authority (PSA) has launched a consultation on proposals to enhance effectiveness of sanctions imposed by PSA Tribunals on non-compliant providers.

Our vision is a healthy and innovative market in which consumers can charge content, goods and services to their phone bill with confidence. We look to achieve this by protecting c...

• The PSA Budget for 2017/18 is £3.850m, a 5% saving in real terms over 2016/17 and 16% (£0.730m) savings in total since 2015/16 • Adjusted levy for 2017/18 will be 0.44%, based on...

Join us at the Industry Forum on 10 May, 2017 to hear directly from the PSA and a variety of other speakers. Speakers on the day include representatives from the FCA, Ofcom, Future...

We have recently received a number of enquiries from providers of online adult and online competition services asking how they should go about notifying us of the additional inform...

The Phone-paid Services Authority is proud to support Safer Internet Day 2017 (#SID2017). This year we are joining over 1,200 organisations across the UK in helping to create a bet...

I hope you all had a good Christmas and New Year. With the festive period a fading memory and everyone back at work, I want to set out some of our priorities for the next three mon...

The Phone-paid Services Authority (PSA) today publishes a compliance update to clarify the requirement for pricing and other key information in text messages sent to a consumer’s m...

The Phone-paid Services Authority (PSA) today announces a revised set of administrative charges. The PSA remains committed to ensuring that those found in breach of its Code of Pra...

A new smartphone will be on may peoples' Christmas gift lists. Read our top tips on protecting your smartphone and knowing what can be charged to your phone bill this festive seaso...

The Phone-paid Services Authority issues this notice to assist all relevant service providers who are implementing the new Special conditions for online competition services and o...

The Phone-paid Services Authority announces the appointment of Meg Munn to the Board of Directors.

The Phone-paid Services Authority today publishes for consultation its Business Plan and Budget 2017/18. The consultation sets out how we seek to meet our strategic priorities and ...

The PSA today publishes statements on its regulatory framework and Special conditions, for online competition and online adult services. Proposals presented in the consultations pu...

Today sees the launch of National Consumer Week, which helps people understand their consumer rights and be ‘switched on’ consumers. There are an estimated 23 million users of phon...

It was great to see so many of you at our first industry forum as the Phone-paid Services Authority (PSA) last week. Here are five key points to come out of the event.

PhonepayPlus, the UK’s regulator for content goods and services charged to a phone bill, is now called the Phone-paid Services Authority (PSA). Our new name makes it clearer what...

Today PhonepayPlus becomes the Phone-paid Services Authority, or PSA for short. About 12 months ago, our chairman announced our intention to change our name to more accurately refl...

Today is Get Safe Online Day, a campaign encouraging the UK public and small businesses to make every day safer by treating online security as essential ‘life admin’.

The Phone-paid Services Authority has recently seen a significant increase in the number of complaints from consumers regarding phone-paid services. In September this year, we rece...

Our autumn industry forum took place on Wednesday 2nd November 2016. Slides from the day, as well as Jo Prowse's speech are available.

PhonepayPlus today publishes a consultation on its regulatory framework, a consultation on Special conditions for online competition and adult services and refreshed industry Guida...

In our thirtieth year of regulating PRS, we are looking at how we keep pace with technological and market developments to continue to protect consumers and enable market innovation...

The Annual Report 2015/16 provides an overview of PhonepayPlus’ work over the last twelve months and includes our audited annual accounts.

In February we launched a public consultation on five pieces of Guidance for the premium rate services industry that had been amended or developed afresh. Today we publish three ou...

Those of you who are eagle-eyed will have noticed that we shifted the AMR from calendar year to financial year. You will have also noticed that the market has outperformed expecta...

The annual market review is an in depth independent look at the PRS market, conducted by Mobilesquared. It provides us with an opportunity to take stock of the market, assess how i...

The UK’s premium rate services regulator, PhonepayPlus, is changing its name to the Phone-paid Services Authority, and adopting a new statement of purpose.

July is Citizens Advice’s Scams Awareness Month. Although, the vast majority of premium rate services are good businesses that serve consumers well, we receive a number contacts fr...

We are introducing a new Code of Practice on 12th July 2016. The Code sets out the rules providers of premium rates services are required to follow. We’re switching from Code 13 to...

We've announced today the appointments of the new members of our independent Code Adjudication Panel (CAP).

Ofcom has today published its statement following consultation on its approval of PhonepayPlus’ 14th edition of the Code of Practice.

Today we launch our Vulnerability guidance to help PRS providers prevent consumer harm before launching and while running a service, which we developed in collaboration with indust...

Today we launch new Vulnerability guidance to help PRS providers avoid consumer harm before launching and while running a service.

In case you didn’t make it to the forum, let us quickly fill you in on our latest updates and on what the industry is saying:

Last week we received the Silver accreditation from Investors in People, an official status that confirms our hard work in being a credible and trusted employer and regulator.

While many were looking forward to a well-earned break over Easter, we were hard at work making sure we have the right protections in place for vulnerable consumers.

PhonepayPlus has announced today the appointment of Mohammed Khamisa QC as the chair of a new Code Adjudication Panel.

Today we are publishing a public consultation on vulnerability guidance. The consultation runs until Wednesday 18 May 2016.

PhonepayPlus is currently consulting on new and refreshed Guidance. This is part of a series of blog posts exploring some of the topics open for discussion.

The report looks at who uses PRS and why, what they like about services and what they do not like.

Our annual market review surveys a demographically representative sample of PRS users. This gives us the opportunity to test consumers’ views of the services they engage with.

We have recently published our Business Plan and Budget for 2016/17. Hear from Peter Barker, Director of Corporate Services and Operations on the key points.

PhonepayPlus Budget is £3.995m, a reduction of £500,000 (11%) in real terms compared with the forecast for 2015/16. Adjusted levy for 2016/17 will be 0.63%. Funding model to be re...

PhonepayPlus is today publishing its statement following consultation on the 14th edition of the Code of Practice.

PhonepayPlus is currently consulting on new and refreshed Guidance. This is the first in a series of blog posts exploring some of the topics open for discussion.

On Friday 19th February, we held a charity text donations seminar jointly organised by the Association for Interactive Media Entertainment (AIME). The event brought together charit...

Registration is now open for our next industry forum that will take place on Wednesday 4th May 2016.

After conversations with industry and others, we have decided to change PhonepayPlus’ name. We want to develop a name that will explain our role more clearly for consumers and stak...

We published five new or refreshed pieces of Guidance for consultation earlier this week. The Guidance is aimed at providers of premium rate services and is designed to assist in ...

We are undertaking a public consultation on five pieces of Guidance that have been amended or developed afresh. We are seeking to offer clear and accessible Guidance to PRS provide...

PhonepayPlus is proud to support Safer Internet Day 2016, alongside over 750 organisations reaching millions of young people, parents and schools across the UK to promote a safe an...

PhonepayPlus, the UK regulator of premium rate services, which includes charity text donations, and The Association for Interactive Media and Entertainment (www.aimelink.org) are r...

We have a number of open consultations and other activities coming up this year. Here is some information on how to get involved.

PhonepayPlus is undertaking a public consultation of its proposed new Code of Practice, 14th edition, which closes on 2 February 2016. Within the published consultation paper in No...

It’s the season of goodwill and giving gifts, and as we come to the end of this year I’d like to take a moment to reflect on one of 2015’s big PRS success stories – charity text gi...

Are you thinking of buying a smartphone or tablet for your child this Christmas? Does your child already use a smartphone or tablet or do you let them use yours?

PhonepayPlus today publishes its Business Plan and Budget 2016/17 Consultation. The consultation runs until 29th January 2016 and details of how to respond can be found below.

During the next year we will continue to enhance the recent progress we have made in our regulatory approach, with a balanced emphasis on prevention of future harm to consumers alo...

PhonepayPlus today announces the appointment of Ann Cook as a non-executive director of PhonepayPlus.

The Part 4 review is now complete, and in taking forward its recommendations we are consulting on the new proposed 14th edition of the Code. As part of our consultation and continu...

We have proposed a new Code which I think delivers a more efficient investigation process than previously, simplifying and reducing the number of steps involved. It builds on the w...

PhonepayPlus is today launching a consultation on its 14th edition of the Code of Practice following a review of Part 4 of the Code.

The consumer contact number for PhonepayPlus, the UK’s premium rate and phone-paid services regulator, is changing on Monday 16th November 2015. The existing 0800 500 212 number wi...

ActionFraud’s #UrbanFraudMyths campaign aimed at debunking urban myths about fraud and cyber crime briefly mentions some Wi-Fi and mobile device precautions to keep in mind.

Last week we held our Industry Forum in Canary Wharf. We presented some of the key work PhonepayPlus has undertaken since the last Forum in April including our drive for continued ...

PhonepayPlus are looking for a new Industry Member to join the Board.

Get ready for a week of tips, advice and information on protecting yourself online. This week is Get Safe Online Week run by Get Safe Online, the UK’s national internet security aw...

On 1st October 2015 the Consumer Rights Act came into force. The Act gives consumers new legal rights regarding digital content and makes the law clearer and easier to understand ...

September has been a big month of change for PhonepayPlus. Jo Prowse, Chief Executive of PhonepayPlus provides an update on the key changes and upcoming work.

Jo Prowse has been confirmed as Chief Executive of UK premium rate services (PRS) regulator PhonepayPlus. Today’s announcement follows approval by the PhonepayPlus Board and Ofcom.

PhonepayPlus today publishes Guidance on Promoting premium rate services

PhonepayPlus today publishes an information note on alternative dispute resolution requirements for premium rate services.

PhonepayPlus’ Industry Forum took place in the afternoon of Wednesday 4th November in London.

On 1 July PhonepayPlus launched its 13th Code of Practice, and published a range of Notices of special conditions and a new collection of guidance.

PhonepayPlus today announces David Edmonds CBE as its next Chairman. He will succeed Andrew Pinder CBE as chair of the UK premium rate services regulator’s Board on 1 September 201...

PhonepayPlus today publishes its Annual Report 2014/15.

PhonepayPlus has today published its vulnerability discussion document

While some services are experiencing a challenging operating environment, services like giving, gaming and gambling are becoming increasingly prevalent in our market. As a regulato...

As you might have noted already we have relaunched our PhonepayPlus website. The relaunch of our website is part of the changes PhonepayPlus is making to improve our regulatory fra...

Last week saw the announcement of the winners of PhonepayPlus’ 2015 PhoneBrain film competition at a private screening held at the BFI Southbank.

The first week of July saw the launch of Citizens Advice’s Scams Awareness Month. The month is about creating a self-supporting network of confident, alert consumers.

Winning films to be used as internet safety resources for schools

PhonepayPlus today welcomes new Director of Corporate Services and Operations, Peter Barker into its leadership team.

PhonepayPlus commissioned mobilesquared to conduct the PRS Annual Market Review 2014.

Today we published the 2014 Annual Market Review, which we asked MobileSquared to conduct for us. It’s thought-provoking and I recommend it to anyone interested in an indepen...

Following the launch of the 13th PhonepayPlus Code of Practice on 1 July 2015, PhonepayPlus are today publishing an updated version of our Investigations and Sanctions Procedure.

Yesterday PhonepayPlus launched a new Code of Practice, our 13th, for the premium rate services (PRS) industry.

Following the end of the stand-still period in which European Union member states could comment on the proposed thirteenth edition of the PhonepayPlus Code of Practice (the ‘Code’)...

Soon there will be a new Code of Practice for premium rate services. We are working to help industry get ready, and last week, we welcomed providers to the PhonepayPlus offices for...

For the attention of all Network operators, Level 1 providers and Level 2 providers who are involved, or intend to be involved, in: - Operating premium rate services on the 0870 nu...

We have recently seen a significant increase in the number of complaints from consumers who claim to have been unaware that they have entered into a service that incurs charges to ...

PhonepayPlus today announces its decision to make exemptions launched in May 2014 for app stores and developers permanently available.

From 1 July 2015 call charges are changing, with a new system to make the cost of calling service numbers clear. Ofcom’s UK Calling website has full details. Here are the key chang...

With the implementation of our new 13th Code of Practice approaching and the introduction of UK calling in July, the next few months are very important for PhonepayPlus, the PRS in...

PhonepayPlus publishes today the Terms of Reference for the Review of its Investigations, Procedures and Sanctions, Part 4 of the Code of Practice.

Andrew Pinder CBE will this year complete his term of office as Chairman of UK phone-paid services regulator PhonepayPlus.

PhonepayPlus today announces an adjustment to its published administrative charge policy.

Update (01/07/2015): PhonepayPlus has completed its consultation on both Guidance for Code 13 and its proposals for new Special conditions. We publish a final statement outlining o...

PhonepayPlus, the UK regulator of premium rate telephone services (PRS), publishes its Business Plan and Budget 2015/16. This follows consultation with industry and formal approval...

PhonepayPlus is today publishing its 13th Code of Practice and a limited number of immediate changes to the current 12th Code of Practice.

Government and regulatory action to combat nuisance calls is making headlines. Recently the ICO raided a UK call centre that was making millions of nuisance calls using automatic d...

In January we saw a high number of consumers contacting PhonepayPlus about competition services operating through premium rate services. These competitions typically involve the op...

In recent weeks PhonepayPlus has considered the judgment in the judicial review case brought by Ordanduu and Optimus Mobile and has held discussions with the parties involved...

A wider offering in digital content and services and the enhanced security offered by contactless mobile payments makes consumers more receptive of new technologies. For the premiu...

You can now register for the PhonepayPlus Industry Forum Spring that will take place on the afternoon of Thursday 30th April 2015 in Central London.

Safer Internet Day is an annual global acclaim empowering children and young people to have a safe, responsible and positive use of digital technology.

This year we have partnered with Childnet to deliver our annual PhoneBrain competition which helps young people understand the costs involved using a mobile device

It has come to our attention that a fraudulent email has been sent to a number of industry participants from an unknown source suggesting the resignation of PhonepayPlus’s Acting C...

Using social media as a young person is very entertaining, a way to follow your favourite celebrities and shows and hang out with your friends. Here is what to watch out for when s...

Jo Prowse, Acting Chief Executive of PhonepayPlus, said following the ruling of Mr Justice Supperstone on Ordanduu GmbH and Optimus Mobile GmbH v Phonepayplus Limited:

Mobile security provider Lookout issued today its 2014 Mobile Threat Report noting a decrease in malware in the UK.

With Christmas 2014 a fading memory and 2015 already upon us, there is no better time to look ahead at what the next few months have in store and to highlight some key work Phonepa...

PhonepayPlus today announces the appointments of Steve Ricketts and Kevin Brown to its Board, and senior Civil Servant Simon Towler as its new Director of Policy and External Relat...

Last week PhonepayPlus issued a final statement and guidance on consumer credit services operating on premium rate telephone lines. It’s an important but quite technical area, so I...

The number of British people using their handsets for mobile payments is expected to grow further in 2015, according to recent research results published by Oxygen 8.

- Fines totalling £330,000 have been issued to three companies, Circle Marketing Ltd, 

PhonepayPlus, the UK regulator of premium rate services (PRS), today issues a public consultation on its Business Plan and Budget for 2015/16.

Today PhonepayPlus is publishing its final statement following a review of regulations, including prior permission conditions, for consumer credit services operating on premium rat...

Our consultation on PhonepayPlus’ Business Plan and Budget for 2015/16 is published today. It’s packed with detail and as it’s one of PhonepayPlus’ major consultations I’d like to ...

If in the years gone by kids used to have more modest requests for Christmas gifts such as football boots, books or a bicycle, nowadays smartphones and tablets among other gadgets ...

Today PhonepayPlus published a new report on the future of phone-paid digital goods and services based on research by Deloitte MCS. It suggests that operator billing could have the...

New report produced by Deloitte for PhonepayPlus shows mobile operator billing in digital goods market can grow beyond £500 million by 2019.

Last Thursday, PhonepayPlus held a forum for the premium rate services industry at Congress Centre in London. Some particularly interesting points were made in the afternoon’s disc...

PhonepayPlus will hold a stakeholder forum on the afternoon of Thursday 20 November in central London, from 2pm to 4.30pm followed by a networking event.

We have recently received a large number of number checker hits for a 090 number that was shut down by PhonepayPlus in December 2005. The number was originally part of a postal sca...

We know that the best way to do this is to work with the industry and help them nip problems in the bud. Here is how PhonepayPlus acts to ensure a healthy environment in the premiu...

Apps provide great content and services but because purchases can be deducted from your phone bill or your prepaid credit, it pays to take care. Here are a few tips on how to get t...

PhonepayPlus is today publishing its three-year strategic plan. The purpose of this plan is to ensure widespread understanding of and agreement to PhonepayPlus’ vision, mission and...

This week we have published of PhonepayPlus’ Three-Year Strategic Plan for 2014-17. You can read it in full here, but there are some points I’d like to pull out of it for members o...

This week we’ve worked with Childnet on a short piece on what to be mindful of when children use premium rate services on mobile devices. Things parents can do to help stop their c...

Eagle-eyed Android users and devoted tech-pages readers may have noticed something different about the Google Play store today – from now on people will be shown the price ranges f...

Welcome to the new Blog section of PhonepayPlus' website. My aim through this blog is to provide an informal place where we can talk directly and openly with our colleagues in the ...

This week, the Sunday Times reported a survey of 1,300 parents by Netmums which found that 21% of respondents had faced large bills after a child bought game

Following confirmation and announcement of the revised administrative charges on 1 November 2013, PhonepayPlus today announces a change to its administrative charge policy.

Premium rate regulator, PhonepayPlus, today announces the appointment of Julian Weinberg to its Code Compliance Panel.

This compliance update is relevant to all providers of premium rate services (PRS) which are defined as Directory Enquiry (DQ) services and operate on the 118 number range.

PhonepayPlus publishes a discussion paper on affiliate marketing.

Following consultation with industry and other stakeholders, PhonepayPlus, the UK regulator of premium rate telephone services (PRS), publishes its Business Plan and Budget 2014/15...

PhonepayPlus will hold a stakeholder forum on the afternoon of Wednesday 2 April in London.

PhonepayPlus, the premium rate regulator, today ordered refunds to consumers and fined the voucher service Free (b) £100,000 for charging consumers without proof of their consent a...

World Consumer Rights Day’s focus on 15 March this year is on mobile phone consumers’ rights. Under PhonepayPlus' Code of Practice consumers are entitled to expect six key rights w...

The Board of PhonepayPlus have today announced the resignation of Paul Whiteing as CEO of PhonepayPlus in order that he can take up a role as Lead Ombudsman with the Financial Ombu...

Following consultation with industry and approval from Ofcom, PhonepayPlus confirms its budget for 2014/15.

Today, PhonepayPlus issues an update to stakeholders on the progress of the a review of the twelfth Code of Practice (‘Code’), which will be followed by a formal consultation later...

Pilot scheme increased charity giving over £2.7 million. Charities are benefitting from new SMS donation rules that are being introduced by premium rate services regulator Phonepay...

PhonepayPlus' response to Lookout’s Made-to-Measure Malware and the Battle Against Adware report.

PhonepayPlus, the UK phone-paid services regulator, has today fined Nobinet Ltd £45,000 and ordered refunds over misleading apps on Facebook and Tumblr that led to a ‘Pac-Man’ styl...

In support of Safer Internet Day 2014, the PhoneBrain competition is helping young people take the lead in the safe use of phone-paid services. The annual competition teaches young...

New research into customer service in the premium rate services industry (PRS) is published by PhonepayPlus. PhonepayPlus is calling for all sections of the premium rate telecoms i...

Parents are estimated to have spent £3 billion on tech gadgets this Christmas and with a quarter of under 16s expected to open a tablet on Christmas Day, PhonepayPlus, the UK regul...

PhonepayPlus, the UK regulator of premium rate services (PRS), today issues a public consultation on its Business Plan and Budget 2014/15 – Adding Value in a Complex and Converging...

• The scam misused an 070 premium rate phone number
• £130 bill reported by one complainant
...

Consumer complaints relating to digital marketing now represent around 20 per cent of total complaints received by PhonepayPlus.

...

PhonepayPlus today publishes its Market Review 2012-2013. This report provides information about consumer engagement with premium rate services (PRS), the current market position a...

Following a successful pilot, PhonepayPlus today sets out its plan to make regular text donation to charities easier. Charity donation is a fast growing success story for premium r...

PhonepayPlus has reviewed its administration charges and has retained the current methodology for setting these charges.

PhonepayPlus today issues a Compliance Update that is relevant to all providers of premium rate competition, prize draw and/or repeat download services that carry a repeat charge, ...

This compliance update is relevant to all providers of premium rate services (PRS) competition, prize draw and/or repeat download services that carry a repeat charge, which meet th...

PhonepayPlus initiates three Emergency Procedure investigations.

PhonepayPlus initiates five Emergency Procedure investigations.

The Payforit scheme is a consumer purchase experience designed to deliver secure charge-to-mobile payment flows that is promoted by the UK MNOs and is defined as a Controlled Premi...

PhonepayPlus, the UK regulator of premium rate telephone services (PRS), today publishes its Business Plan and Budget 2013/14, following consultation with industry and other stakeh...

Parents who don’t talk to their children about what they spend on smartphones can be hit with bills that run into hundreds or even thousands of pounds, PhonepayPlus, the ...

PhonepayPlus has today published a ‘Call for inputs around the extension of PhonepayPlus regulation to remain...

PhonepayPlus, the UK regulator of premium rate services (PRS), today issued a public consultation on its Business Plan & Budget for the financial year 2012/13.

PhonepayPlus, the body that regulates premium rate services (PRS) in the UK, is working with the City of London Police and IFPI, which represents the recording industry worldwide, ...

PhonepayPlus’ new industry-wide Registration Scheme now has more than 3,000 premium rate telephone services (PRS) providers signed up.

Statement from PhonepayPlus about the chain email about an alleged postal scam which is being circulated on the internet.

PhonepayPlus will celebrate 25 years as the regulator of premium rate services (PRS) in the UK, with an afternoon Forum and evening reception on 22 Novembe...

PhonepayPlus, UK the premium rate services (PRS) regulator, today announced that Patrick Guthrie has been appointed Director of Strategy & Communications, following a comprehen...

Ofcom, the lead communications regulator, has extended the deadline for its review of premium rate services (PRS) by one week, following stakeholder feedback.

PhonepayPlus today published a public consultation on its proposed Guidance for app-based mobile payment...

A new Registration Scheme for premium rate telephone services (PRS) providers has revealed a diverse market and industry, attractive to international business and ranging from char...

PhonepayPlus has today published a Notice to Industry, setting out changes to its prior permission regime...

PhonepayPlus, the UK regulator of premium rate telephone services (PRS), today urged all PRS providers to register their organisation as soon as possible with the regulator if they...

Following a recent review of its approach to setting administrative charges, PhonepayPlus has concluded that the method for setting the charges will remain as they are under the cu...

Complaints about premium rate telephone services (PRS) have declined by 77% over two years, according to recent figures issued by the UK PRS regulator, PhonepayPlus, in its Annual ...

PhonepayPlus’ Investigations Team has recently carried out a review of the process used to obtain revenue figures in relation to services under investigation following an increasin...

PhonepayPlus today published its operations report for the months of April to June 2011.

The earlybird reduced Registration Scheme fee of £50 + VAT ends on 31 July 2011.

PhonepayPlus, the UK regulator of premium rate services (PRS), today published its Annual Report for 2010/11.

PhonepayPlus today reissued its Notice to Industry on the launch of the Registration Scheme in support of the 12th Edition of the PhonepayPlus Code of Practice.

PhonepayPlus, the UK regulator of premium rate services (PRS), today launched the Number Checker and Due Diligence functionalities on its industry-wide Registration Scheme.

PhonepayPlus, the UK regulator of premium rate services, today published the decision of the Independent Appeals Body (IAB) that met on 16 May 2011 to consider an appeal from Trans...

PhonepayPlus, the premium rate services (PRS) regulator, today (30 June) published a joint letter with re...

Robin Callender Smith has been appointed Chair of the Independent Appeals Body (IAB), with effect from 1 July 2011.

PhonepayPlus, the UK regulator for premium rates services, today published its Strategic Plan for 2011/14.

PhonepayPlus today reissued its Notice to Industry on the launch of the Registration Scheme in support of the 12th Edition of the PhonepayPlus Code of Practice.

PhonepayPlus, the UK regulator of premium rate services (PRS), today launched a facility to allow PRS providers to submit a spreadsheet of 50 or more clients and have them uploaded...

Ofcom today published its consultation on amending the PRS Condition, which defines the providers who must comply with directions made by PhonepayPlus, the UK regulator of premium ...

Following a recent adjudication concerning sexual entertainment services that use ‘underage fantasy’ subject matter, this Notice is issued in order to clarify PhonepayPlus’ positio...

PhonepayPlus, the UK regulator of premium rate telephone services (PRS), today opened its new industry Registration Scheme...

This Notice to Industry was reissued on 8 June 2011. 

As Royal Wedding fever hots up, romance is calling for a new generation of romantics who flirt by mobile phone.

PhonepayPlus today published its operations report for the months of January to March 2011. The report details the number and type of complaints PhonepayPlus received, as well as o...

PhonepayPlus has reviewed the administrative charges invoiced to companies found to be in breach of the PhonepayP...

FOR THE ATTENTION OF ALL THOSE INVOLVED IN PROVIDING PREMIUM RATE SERVICES FOR THE PURPOSES OF SECTION 120 OF THE COMMUNICATIONS ACT 2003

PhonepayPlus, the UK regulator of premium rate telephone services (PRS), today published its new Code of Practice for the PRS industry. The new Code, widely consulted on with indus...

Figures published today in a report from PhonepayPlus, the UK regulator of premium rate services (PRS), reveal that in 2010 the UK PRS market grew slightly, up by 0.8% from £810.1 ...

PhonepayPlus, the UK regulator of premium rates telephone services (PRS), today published its annual market report and a statement following consultation on its Business Plan &...

Consumers spent over 400% more in 2010 on virtual goods bought on their mobiles than in the previous year. The market size for virtual goods purchased using premium rate numbers in...

PhonepayPlus, the premium rate services (PRS) regulator, today issued a third update on development of the industry-wide Registration Scheme. We plan to open the Scheme with a ‘pre...

PhonepayPlus, the UK national regulator for premium rate services, today warned that consumers using search engines (such as Google) to find contact numbers for organisations shoul...

PhonepayPlus has responded to Ofcom’s consultation

PhonepayPlus, the regulator for premium rate telephone services, today announced that consumer complaints fell by 75% over two years, from 23,624 complaints in 2008 to 6,058 compla...

An award-winning education programme is targeting young entrepreneurs in youth clubs and schools nationwide. PhoneBrain 2011 will encourage potential young business leaders in low-...

PhonepayPlus has been reviewing its approach to investigations and the setting of sanctions. We will shortly be issuing new procedures for how investigations and sanctions will be ...

Following consultation with industry and approval from Ofcom, PhonepayPlus has confirmed its core budget for 2011/12 will reduce by 13.2% in real terms on a like-for-like basis.

PhonepayPlus today published its operations report for the months of October to December 2010.

As announced on 22 May 2009, the Fund is in the process of being wound up and monies being returned to eligible contributors as at that date.

PhonepayPlus, the premium rate services (PRS) regulator, today issued a second update on development of the industry-wide Registration Scheme that will be launched later in 2011, a...

This update is to inform all those who provide premium rate services (PRS) for the purposes of section 120 of the Communications Act 2003, that PhonepayPlus has agreed to work proa...

PhonepayPlus today published a schematic that illustrates how we deal with complaints about services.

This Notice applies to those operating premium rate services (PRS) on the number ranges beginning 0871/2/3 and 09

PhonepayPlus today launches its consultation on its draft Business Plan & Budget for the financial year 2011/12.

PhonepayPlus, the regulator of premium rate services (PRS), today published an overview of its consumer research over the last three years, together with five previously unpublishe...

PhonepayPlus, the phone-paid services regulator, is aware that a chain e-mail about an alleged postal scam is being circulated on the internet. The email refers to the Royal Mail, ...

PhonepayPlus today published its operations report for the months of July to September 2010

PhonepayPlus today issued a public consultation on the Guidance for networks and premium rate service (PRS) providers that will support compliance with the regulator’s new Code of ...

PhonepayPlus today published a memorandum of understanding with the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA).

Following the PRS Scope review, Ofcom has announced that it will be using the Analytical Framework developed as part of the review to evaluate whether premium rate regulation is ap...

PhonepayPlus has today published a consultation on its new Strategic Plan for 2011/14. The document sets out the key elements of the Plan for consultation with stakeholders, before...

PhonepayPlus today published its operations report for the months of April to June 2010.

PhonepayPlus, the premium rate services regulator, today announced that Joanne Prowse has been appointed Director of Operations following a comprehensive recruitment process. Joann...

PhonepayPlus today issued a supplementary Notice to Industry detailing changes to Prior Permission for Premium Rate Services (PRS) used in television broadcasting.

PhonepayPlus has today issued a statement in response to its Multi-Party Chat (Chatline) consultation, as well as published a Multi-Party Chat (MPC) Prior Permission Notice.

An Oral Hearing Tribunal considered on 2 and 3 June 2010 a case about unsolicited text messages received by consumers between January and October 2009. The case was originally adju...

Research released today shows that consumers back PhonepayPlus’ proposed new Code of Practice for the regulation of premium rate telephony services (PRS).

PhonepayPlus today published its Annual Report for 2009/10

PhonepayPlus today announced that it is extending the deadline for responses to the consultation on its proposed Code of Practice by one week.

PhonepayPlus today announced a formal policy and process to deal with complaints about the organisation and its conduct. We have appointed Hilary Bainbridge as the Lay Assessor who...

Charitable giving via mobile is becoming an increasingly popular way to donate to good causes.

PhonepayPlus is currently consulting on its new Code of Practice, which represents a significant development in the regulation of premium rate phone-paid services (PRS). The new Co...

PhonepayPlus has submitted evidence to the call for inputs by Ofcom for its review of non-geographic calls services.

PhonepayPlus, the regulator of premium rate telephone services (PRS), today issued an invitation to tender to build a Registration System. This follows a recent consultation in whi...

PhonepayPlus today announced the creation of a new Complaint Resolution team, led by Jodie Isaac, an experienced PhonepayPlus Executive. This new team will work in collaboration wi...

PhonepayPlus, the phone-paid services regulator, has requested that the premium rate number 09066641142 be switched off, following two complaints from members of the public that li...

PhonepayPlus today launches a new approach to the regulation of premium rate telephone services (PRS). Today the regulator begins consultation on a new stripped-down and simplified...

PhonepayPlus today published its quarterly report, covering January to March 2010.

An interim update and short consultation on PhonepayPlus' proposed Registration Scheme for premium rate service providers.

PhonepayPlus today launched a 10-week consultation on proposals to amend the prior permission regime currently in operation for Multi-Party Chat services.

PhonepayPlus today confirmed its annual Business Plan and Budget for 2010/11 following its consultation published on 2 December 2009. The regulator also announced its Administrativ...

PhonepayPlus has reviewed and updated the administrative charges invoiced to companies found to be in breach of the PhonepayPlus Code of Practice, eleventh edition amended April 2...

PhonepayPlus’ PhoneBrain schools project scoops top prize in the Education Sponsorship category at last night’s Hollis Sponsorship Awards

Following consultation with industry and approval from Ofcom, PhonepayPlus has confirmed its budget for 2010/11 will reduce by 3%.

PhoneBrain – the schools programme set up by industry regulator PhonepayPlus that helps students create a mobile ringtone or business plan in the classroom – is back for its second...

PhonepayPlus today warned that it will take swift action against the misuse of 076 numbers, especially when they are used to mislead consumers as part of a “missed call” scam

PhonepayPlus today published its operations report for the months of October to December 2009.

Following publication of this Help Note in December 2009, PhonepayPlus received a number of representations from industry stakeholders seeking clarity on the provisions in the Help...

As announced on 22 May 2009, the Fund is in the process of being wound up and monies being returned to eligible contributors as at that date.

PhonepayPlus has launched an emergency procedure investigation under paragraph 8.6.1 of its Code, following in-house monitoring of a virtual chat service called ‘Sms Chat With Just...

PhonepayPlus has launched an emergency procedure investigation following complaints from members of the public and users of the website Gumtree.com about a £10 reverse-billed text ...

PhonepayPlus today published a further guidance on virtual chat services in the form of a new Help Note. The Help Note is designed to provide Service Providers and Information Pro...

PhonepayPlus, the phone-paid services regulator, has appointed Howard Webber and Hugh Griffiths to its Board to add to both its consumer and industry expertise. The two new member...

PhonepayPlus, the phone-paid services regulator, has released its 2010/11 business plan and budget for consultation. The plan outlines new initiatives to create a more robust, targ...

PhonepayPlus has launched an emergency procedure investigation under paragraph 8.6.1 of its Code of Practice, following complaints from members of the public about a Virtual Chat S...

PhonepayPlus today published its operations report for the months of July to September 2009.

PhonepayPlus announces 62% decrease in complaints, on the same day that the EU publishes an update on the success of its 2008 Europe-wide clampdown on misleading websites.

PhonepayPlus today welcomed the publication of Ofcom’s statement on the regulation of premium rate services (PRS).

PhonepayPlus has launched an emergency procedure investigation following complaints from members of the public about a Virtual Chat Service called ‘Adult Sex Exchange’.

PhonepayPlus, the phone-paid services regulator, is aware that a chain e-mail about an alleged postal scam is being circulated on the internet. The email refers to the Royal Mail, ...

PhonepayPlus has launched an investigation following six complaints from members of the public about a service called ‘SMSWinner’.

Industry notice about Public Information Services.

One month to the day since PhonepayPlus took over regulation of 0871/2/3 numbers, it is reminding 087 network operators to remain vigilant about the threat of consumer harm from se...

PhonepayPlus is giving notice that with immediate effect it will direct network operators to withhold specified sums payable by them to a service provider using powers available to...

PhonepayPlus today published its operations report for the months of April to June 2009.

PhonepayPlus has fined Abstract Games Limited (trading as Mediaprom) £100,000 and barred it from providing or operating any scratchcard services for six months, except those for wh...

Research undertaken by PhonepayPlus shows that millions of consumers are happily using services on the 087 number range (which includes numbers beginning 0871, 2, and 3 but exclude...

PhonepayPlus has today announced that Bradley Brady has been appointed Director of Strategy & Stakeholder Relations following an extensive recruitment process.

PhonepayPlus, the phone-paid services regulator, today announces that complaint figures concerning mobile services are down by half one year on from the introduction of new rules t...

PhonepayPlus, the regulator for the phone-paid services industry, has today launched a wide-ranging discussion paper on the development of its 12th Code of Practice. PhonepayPlus i...

Recent PhonepayPlus investigations into web promoted subscription services have resulted in breaches of the Phonepayplus Code of Practice (11th Edition, amended April 2008) being u...

Research released today by PhonepayPlus reveals a lack of understanding around charges for 087 numbers amongst consumers, and supports the need for introduction of new regulation t...

PhonepayPlus, the phone-paid services regulator, has launched an investigation following correspondence received from Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council regarding nine complain...

PhonepayPlus, the phone-paid services regulator, has launched an investigation following complaints from members of the public regarding a mobile virtual chat service operating on ...

PhonepayPlus today published its operations report for the months of January to March 2009

The Trustees are pleased to announce that they have resolved to commence the winding up of the Fund and that the effective date of such commencement is Friday 22 May 2009 (the “Cut...

Ofcom has today published the PRS Scope Review

PhonepayPlus has issued a Help Note for companies affected by its forthcoming regulation of numbers in the 087 number range (0871, 0872 and 0873 but not 0870), which it will take o...

PhonepayPlus has launched a new website that will better protect consumers from harm while lowering the cost of regulation for reputable businesses.

PhonepayPlus today issued a Supplementary Prior Permissions Notice in respect of Notice issued on 22 January 2009 regarding Subscription Services.

Simon Bates appointed Director of Standards and Communications at PhonepayPlus.

Annual Business Plan, Budget and Administrative Charges

Administrative charges from 1 April 2009.

Following consultation with industry, PhonepayPlus reduced its proposed 2009/10 budget to 0.0% on 2008/9 and announced that its levy for 2009/10 will be 0.48%.

The Board of PhonepayPlus, the phone-paid services regulator, today announced the appointment of Paul Whiteing as Chief Executive, effective immediately. Paul, who has been perform...

PhonepayPlus would like to remind all service providers that 4 March 2009 is the deadline for submitting prior permission applications.

Following today's Ofcom announcement that PhonepayPlus will take over day-to-day regulation of 0871 numbers on 1 August 2009, PhonepayPlus has outlined its transition strategy and ...

PhonepayPlus today published a revised Help Note which is designed to provide service providers (such as mobile aggregators) and their information providers with a greater degree o...

PhonepayPlus today issued a Notice to Industry, clarifying that Virtual Chat and Date Services (regardless of delivery platform or number range) should not imply that users are exc...

PhonepayPlus has today issued a final statement on mobile phone-paid services and their marketing setting out new measures to protect the public from a range of practices in the mo...

Find out about PhonepayPlus' new rules to protect you!

PhonepayPlus, the phone-paid services regulator, has prohibited Nick Cracknell, of Burston, Staffordshire, from involvement in or contracting for the provision of any phone-paid se...

PhonepayPlus today announced a second set of companies to be granted permission to provide phone-paid interactive broadcast services.

Phone-paid services regulator warns consumers to be extra watchful of scams during the festive season.

PhonepayPlus today published a Notice to Industry reminding all network operators involved in the provision of premium rate services of their due diligence responsibilties. This fo...

PhonepayPlus today published its 2009/10 Business Plan & Budget consultation. All responses must be received by 29 January 2009.

Following complaints from members of the public relating to missed calls to both landlines and mobiles from 070 prefixed numbers, PhonepayPlus has invoked its emergency procedure a...

This week's announcement by the Chancellor of the Exchequer of a cut in the rate of VAT from 17.5 per cent to 15 per cent on December 1 has prompted a number of questions to Phonep...

PhonepayPlus has invoked its emergency procedure to investigate complaints relating to a parcel delivery mailing which encourages recipients to call a premium rate number to re-arr...

Industry regulator joins forces with Ministry of Sound, the Peter Jones Foundation and Make Your Mark to launch PhoneBrain - an innovative new schools programme.

The PhonepayPlus Board today accepted George Kidd's resignation from his post as Chief Executive, effective 31 October. He will be replaced on an interim basis by Paul Whiteing, cu...

PhonepayPlus today announced the beginning of a consultation exercise to develop the next edition of its Code of Practice.

PhonepayPlus today announced the first companies to be granted permission to provide phone-paid interactive broadcast services.

PhonepayPlus has today published a statement on its decision to use an emergency procedure to investigate an email which resembles an invoice for computer equipment. The email enco...

Andrew Bud's resignation from the Board of PhonepayPlus.

Following a recent investigation into the use of Automated Calling Equipment to promote a premium rate service operating on a 070 number, PhonepayPlus today published a Notice to I...

PhonepayPlus has today submitted a response to the Consumer Law Review: Call for Evidence issued by the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (BERR) in May 2008...

PhonepayPlus, the phone-paid services regulator, today proposed a series of measures to protect the public from harm in the mobile premium content market. With immediate effect, an...

PhonepayPlus has recently written to all service providers operating live 1-2-1 chat services and virtual chat / chat & dating services.

PhonepayPlus today published a memorandum of understanding with the Gambling Commission. It provides a framework for the adoption of a common approach to resolving certain issues r...

PhonepayPlus has today published a statement on its decision to use an emergency procedure to investigate the use of automated calling equipment to promote, and encourage calls to,...

PhonepayPlus has today announced the appointments of Matti Alderson, Ruth Evans, Andrew Flanagan and Jeremy Hallsworth as non-executive Board members, effective 1 September 2008. G...

PhonepayPlus has today announced a review of mobile premium services which in the UK are worth around £350 million annually, and include digital content such as music ringtones, ga...

PhonepayPlus today announced a streamlined approach to enforcement with the creation of a new Code Compliance Panel. An updated Sanctions Guide, also published today, explains the ...

PhonepayPlus today published a Fact Sheet to assist service providers and others in understanding the key implications arising from the implementation on 26 May 2008 of the Consume...

PhonepayPlus today reminded all network operators involved in the provision of premium rate services that they are bound by the PhonepayPlus Code of Practice. It urges any network ...

PhonepayPlus has today reminded providers of phone-paid services that the PhonepayPlus Code of Practice covers the promotion of the service as well as the content promoted. Becaus...

PhonepayPlus has today announced that its levy for 2008/09 will be 0.39%. The levy, which applies to all outpayments to service providers, has been set following extensive consult...

PhonepayPlus has today published a Notice to the Industry informing it of Administrative Charges from 1 April 2008.

PhonepayPlus (previously known as ICSTIS) today published research that shows the effect of new technology and changing consumer demand on the UK phone-paid services industry - a m...

PhonepayPlus (previously known as ICSTIS) today announced that service providers looking to provide premium rate services (PRS) to broadcasters must first seek its permission.

PhonepayPlus, the phone-paid services regulator (formerly ICSTIS), today launched its new look website, www.phonepayplus.org.uk, designed specifically with consumers in mind.

PhonepayPlus has today published a statement on its decision to use its emergency procedure to investigate the premium rate service used to access the website ‘Raw-Contacts.com.

PhonepayPlus has today issued a notice to the industry advising that, with immediate effect, no voice-based, text-charged service may be provided unless prior permission in writing...

PhonepayPlus launches text message-based number-checking service.

PhonepayPlus has today issued a notice to the industry outlining the success and benefits of the PhonepayPlus Compliance Team.

As the snowman brings the snow this Christmas, Santa may well be bringing new mobile phones, TVs and computers for the kids. While the excitement of having their first PC or mobile...

PhonepayPlus has today published a statement on its decision to use an emergency procedure to investigate the ‘Call 4 Cash Unclaimed Prize Draw'.

PhonepayPlus has today published a notice to the industry on changes to the way in which administrative charges will be applied to service providers, information providers (where a...

PhonepayPlus has today welcomed the publication of a new framework for regulation agreed by Ofcom and PhonepayPlus.

PhonepayPlus has today published its half-year summary covering April to September 2007.

PhonepayPlus has today written to all service providers operating live 1-2-1 chat services (including services operating on ‘Babe TV' channels), recorded sexual entertainment servi...

Following an Oral Hearing in December 2006 which resulted in fines totalling £40,000 and a 12-month bar to the service being imposed, service provider Global Access SL appealed aga...

PhonepayPlus has today published a Statement of Application setting out how it proposes to apply its Code of Practice to services offered on 0871 numbers, which it will assume regu...

PhonepayPlus has today published its proposed 2008/9 annual plan and budget, highlighting a clear focus on pre-empting and preventing problems - the key, it believes, to effective ...

PhonepayPlus has today issued a statement in response to its Anonymous SMS Consultation, as well as published a notice to the industry on Anonymous SMS Prior Permission.

PhonepayPlus has today issued a notice to the industry reminding it that, as of 8 November 2007, all "controlled" sexual entertainment services (SES) are required only to operate o...

PhonepayPlus has today published its response to a consultation document issued by Ofcom on Participation TV: Protecting Viewers And Consumers, And Keeping Advertising Separate Fro...

ICSTIS, the phone-paid services regulator, has today become PhonepayPlus and has set itself the task of boosting public awareness about how to use services safely and how it can he...

ICSTIS has today imposed its maximum fine of £250,000 on GMTV competition phone service provider Opera Telecom Ltd for selecting potential winners before the competition had closed...

In October 2007, PhonepayPlus directed its auditors, Mazars LLP, to conduct an audit of 15 networks to understand how all parties can work together more effectively in the future.

ICSTIS has today issued a notice to the industry reminding it of its obligation to provide customer service phone numbers in promotional material.

ICSTIS has today issued a notice to the industry informing that it will publish details of all informal procedures from 15 October 2007.

ICSTIS has today issued a notice to the industry informing it that all investigations into participation TV services will be conducted using the standard procedure.

Following stakeholder responses to its consultation on enhancing stakeholder engagement, icstis has published a final statement on its proposals. ICSTIS has also published the resp...

ICSTIS welcomes today's announcement by Channel 4 as clear evidence of the broadcaster's commitment to continue working to improve procedures to safeguard the interests of viewers.

ICSTIS has today issued a consultation document relating to Anonymous SMS texting services.

ICSTIS has today issued an Industry Notice as a reminder to all service providers involved in the operation of sexual entertainment services (SES), to ensure that the correct intro...

Sir Alistair Graham, speaking at the launch of ICSTIS' annual report 2006/7, today reiterated the regulator's commitment to proactively protecting consumers following the recent hi...

ICSTIS has today imposed its highest ever fine of £150,000 on 'You Say, We Pay' service provider Eckoh UK Ltd. Contact the 'You Say, We Pay' refund line on 0800 666 805.

The Westminster Media Forum keynote seminar on Participation Broadcasting took place on 27 June 2007. ICSTIS Chairman, Sir Alistair Graham, gave a speech on the keynote perspective...

The Gambling Commission has today published its guidance on free draws and prize competitions. icstis will be working closely with the Commission over the coming months in the run ...

Following stakeholder responses to its consultation on changes to governance and Code of Practice, icstis has published a final statement on its proposals.

ICSTIS is reminding industry stakeholders that they have a limited period remaining in which to respond to the 0871 and the stakeholder engagement consultations.

ICSTIS is reminding industry stakeholders that they have until 12 June in which to respond to the broadcast premium rate services consultation.

ICSTIS has today published a consultation document outlining its proposals to introduce prior permission for premium rate services used in television and radio programmes. Click he...

ICSTIS has published a consultation document outlining how it proposes to regulate 0871 numbers when it assumes responsibility for their regulation in early 2008.

ICSTIS has issued a statement on the allegations made against GMTV that have been reported in today's press and are due to be featured in tonight's edition of Panorama on BBC 1.

ICSTIS has issued a statement on articles that have appeared today in The Sun and Daily Star, regarding the You Say, We Pay quiz on Channel 4's Richard & Judy show. icstis wish...

ICSTIS has today issued a consultation document outlining its proposals to enhance its engagement with stakeholders. Responses should be submitted to Paul Whiteing, by no later tha...

ICSTIS has today issued a statement, following the Notice to the Industry issued on 8 March 2007, to remind the industry that, as of today, icstis regulates all controlled premium ...

The Statement sets out our priorities for the coming year, and our commitment to being transparent and accountable in all that we do. The Statement is a further demonstration of ou...

ICSTIS has today issued tough new rules to boost consumer trust and confidence in Quiz TV shows. The new measures, which will come into force in four weeks' time, will give viewers...

ICSTIS and Ofcom have issued their joint response to the Culture Media and Sport Committee's report into Call TV Quiz shows.

ICSTIS has issued a brief Statement in response to a BBC press release concerning problems with a Blue Peter competition in November 2006.

ICSTIS has written to all broadcasters present at last weeks Participation TV summit to confirm the actions that were agreed in order for broadcasters to restore consumer trust and...

Ofcom has today issued a Statement in which it has extended the definition of a Controlled Premium Rate Service ("CPRS") to cover all Sexual Entertainment Services regardless of pr...

ICSTIS has announced a number of immediate and future actions that will be taken to restore public trust in the premium rate participation TV sector.

ICSTIS has welcomed an announcement by ITV that it is to conduct an independent review of all premium rate interactive services in its programmes.

ICSTIS has issued a consultation document proposing changes to its governance arrangements, particularly in relation to its adjudicatory function, and proposed changes to the Code ...

ICSTIS has welcomed the release of a statement by ITV, detailing an error in red button payments during the last series of the X Factor programme. icstis will investigate this matt...

ICSTIS is to hold an urgent meeting next week with leading broadcasters, programme makers and premium rate service providers in the wake of recent allegations against Channel 4's R...

ICSTIS has today launched an investigation into the premium rate services used in the above programme following allegations of misleading practices.

In the last 12 months there has been a sharp rise in service provider requests for reviews of adjudications. To ensure that these requests are submitted correctly and are handled e...

ICSTIS has announced that its levy for 2007/8 will be 0.34%. The levy, which applies to all outpayments to service providers from 1 April 07 to 31 March 08, has been set following ...

ICSTIS has today launched an investigation into the 'You Say, We Pay' competition following allegations that viewers have been urged to phone the premium rate number after the pote...

www.phonebrain.org.uk, the website specifically developed by icstis to educate children, parents and teachers about premium rate service...

ICSTIS is today proposing new regulations for Call TV quiz shows following an extensive review of the sector. icstis' proposals include making viewers aware of their actual chances...

ICSTIS has published a statement welcoming today's publication of the Culture, Media and Sport Committee's Report on Call TV quiz shows.

ICSTIS welcomes today’s publication of the Culture, Media and Sport Committee’s Report on Call TV quiz shows. While recognising Call TV quiz shows as a relatively new form of telev...

ICSTIS will be holding its 14th Forum on Tuesday 20 February 2007 at the Churchill Museum and Cabinet War Rooms in London. The event will offer an invaluable networking and informa...

The 11th Edition of the icstis Code of Practice takes effect from today. Numerous briefings have been held on the major changes in the new Code and a letter from icstis Chief Exec...

Following an increase in complaints about premium rate services operating on 070 personal numbers, ICSTIS has issued the following notice to service providers and network operators...

Dr Bob Chilton has been appointed as the new Deputy Chairman of ICSTIS. He succeeds Mary Symes and will take up his three-year appointment on 1 January 2007.

ICSTIS has today issued a statement clarifying the timetable for introducing the regulation of 0871 numbers, which is to take effect in early 2008.

ICSTIS today launched a new website, www.phonebrain.org.uk specifically targeted to meet the needs of children. The site was launched at Portcullis House, Westminster, with the eve...

ICSTIS has today issued a press release highlighting the launch of its new website for children, www.phonebrain.org.uk. The new site, which will be launched on Monday 4 December, h...

ICSTIS and Ofcom have submitted their interim evidence to the Culture Media and Sport Committee inquiry into Call TV Quiz shows.

ICSTIS has today published its 11th Code of Practice. The Code, which will take effect on 4 January 2007, will improve consumer protection and clarify accountability for the provid...

ICSTIS has today, for the first time published a document evaluating key trends in the communications sector relevant to the scope and nature of ICSTIS regulation. The document con...

ICSTIS issued its proposed Activity Plan and Budget 2007/8 for consultation. Responses should be submitted to Ann Austin (aaustin@icstis.org.uk) by no later than Tuesday 5th Decemb...

It has come to our attention that a chain e-mail regarding Parcel Delivery Services is being re-circulated. icstis invoked its Emergency Procedure and removed access to this servic...

ICSTIS welcomes the opportunity to respond to the Gambling Commission’s consultation paper on Prize Competitions and Free Draws.

ICSTIS has prohibited Nick Elmer from running or being associated with any person or company operating premium rate services for a period of 18-months.

ICSTIS has today published its half-year statement covering April to September 2006. The statement highlights, among other things, the ongoing success of our contact centre in prov...

If you are interested in applying for the position of ICSTIS committee member, please download the application pack and apply by Tuesday 7th November 2006.

ICSTIS has finalised consulting on draft of the 11th Code of Practice. The draft 11th Code is now with Ofcom who, having undertaken their own statutory consultation, are considerin...

ICSTIS has announced that it is to carry out a review of the quiz TV sector following concerns over the clarity of call cost information and a lack of transparency about how servic...

ICSTIS has ruled that Channel 4's Big Brother voting service has breached its Code of Practice by misleading viewers. Detailed investigations were undertaken involving Channel 4 an...

ICSTIS has today published the criteria it will use when awarding consumer refunds as part of a sanction when its Code of Practice is breached.

ICSTIS celebrates 20 years of regulating premium rate services this year. The anniversary publication looks back at how icstis has progressed since 1986 and the challenges it faces...

ICSTIS will be holding its 13th Forum on Tuesday 10th October at the Holiday Inn in Birmingham. The event will offer an invaluable networking and information-gathering opportunity ...

Ofcom has announced that, with immediate effect, they are opening a new number range, 098, for Sexual Entertainment Services (SES). Ofcom will no longer be allocating numbers from ...

ICSTIS has prohibited Jason Gambling from running or being associated with any person or company operating premium rate services for a period of two years.

Premium rate services regulator ICSTIS has announced that it has begun a formal investigation into the Big Brother voting service. ICSTIS has to date received almost 2,700 complain...

ICSTIS has received almost 2,500 complaints to date about the premium rate Big Brother voting service since it was announced that contestants who had previously been evicted were b...

The Gambling Commission has today issued a discussion paper in which views are sought on free prize draws and competitions. This will affect those involved in providing premium rat...

Following Ofcom's decision in April for ICSTIS to regulate all 0871 numbers, ICSTIS has today launched a pre-consultation pap...

Featuring: ICSTIS' first-ever press launch, an interview with the new ICSTIS Chairman, Sir Alistair Graham, and a report on the latest IARN conference held in Switzerland.

ICSTIS has announced a reduction in the levy paid by industry members to fund regulation in the premium rate market. The fall, from 0.3% of outpayments to 0.2%, will be introduced ...

ICSTIS Director, George Kidd addressed attendees of the Westminster eForum on 13th July 2006. Titled 'Premium Rate Services in the future and the role of the regulator', the eForum...

ICSTIS Chairman, Sir Alistair Graham, has called for collective action to stamp out the remaining areas of bad or criminal practice that tarnish the industry. In a call for a wider...

ICSTIS has published its latest Activity Report 2005-06 detailing all the work undertaken throughout the last year.

ICSTIS will be sponsoring the following Westminster eForum, Premium Rate Services in the future and the role of the regulator, scheduled for 13th July. Keynote speaker for this eve...

ICSTIS will be holding its 12th Forum on Monday 10th July at the Plaisterer's Hall in London. The event will offer an invaluable networking and information-gathering opportunity as...

ICSTIS, the premium rate services regulator, has today issued a Notice requiring all companies using Internet dialler software to obtain its prior permission before operating. This...

Today Ofcom has extended the definition of controlled premium rate services (CPRS) to include 'internet dialler software' (diallers) irrespective of the call cost or number. In pro...

ICSTIS has today formally submitted the draft 11th Edition of its Code of Practice to Ofcom for consultation and, if appropriate, final approval. The draft Code has also been deliv...

ICSTIS has published its half-year statement covering October 2005 to March 2006. The accompanying press release highlights, among other things, a 53% fall in the total number of c...

ICSTIS has submitted its response to Ofcom's consultation on consumer policy. We are supportive of the broad approach to consumer policy being developed by Ofcom and make some sugg...

Featuring: 66% fall in premium rate complaints, a visit from the Minister, Rt Hon Alun Michael MP, and a welcome to the new icstis chairman, Sir Alistair Graham.

ICSTIS has issued a press release welcoming Ofcom's decision to extend ICSTIS' remit to regulate 0871 calls as well as adult services, regardless of their cost.

ICSTIS held its 11th Forum on 21st March 2006 at the Manchester Radisson Edwardian Hotel. The Forum featured presentations by Ofcom, the Information Commissioner's Office and the W...

ICSTIS has issued a statement updating the industry on developments and decisions made following a representation by the Mobile Broadband Group (MBG) to the icstis Committee in Mar...

It has come to our attention that a chain e-mail has been circulating the internet. It makes reference to the Royal Mail, the City of London Police and Parcel Delivery Services. IC...

ICSTIS has issued a guide on how it determines an appropriate and proportionate sanction when a service provider is found in breach of the ICSTIS Code of Practice. This guide takes...

ICSTIS has issued a Notice detailing the timescales involved in processing applications for remote gambling services, following a number of requests from service providers.

ICSTIS has published a new leaflet offering information and advice to help consumers protect themselves against premium rate scams.

ICSTIS announces a 66% fall in the number of complaints received about premium rate services.

ICSTIS has announced the levy that will apply to all outpayments to service providers from 1 April 2006 to 31 March 2007.

ICSTIS has issued a Notice reminding service providers that they need to obtain prior permission to operate live services, irrespective of whether their information providers alrea...

ICSTIS will be holding its 11th Forum on Tuesday 21 March at the Radisson Edwardian Hotel in Manchester. The event will feature presentations by Ofcom and the Information Commissio...

ICSTIS hosts a meeting between the City of London Police and Network Operators.

ICSTIS is pleased to welcome Sir Alistair Graham as its new Chairman from 1 June 2006.

ICSTIS has issued a Notice announcing its intention to bar premium rate text charging to all non-premium rate numbers. The bar takes effect on Friday 3 February 2006.

This includes a Statement of Expectations that providers of Call TV Services will need to consider alongside the Code of Practice. Providers of Call TV Quiz Services which contain ...

In July 2005, the ICSTIS Code of Practice was amended to include a Direction to all Network Operators stating that: “Network Operators shall not make, and shall withhold, payments ...

Featuring: introduction of new £250,000 fine limit, launch of a new look for , and reports from IARN and the Forum

ICSTIS has received complaints from Trading Standards Offices throughout the country concerning ‘Parcel Delivery Services’, operating mainly over the Christmas period.

Tougher fines to protect consumers from firms that abuse premium rate services have been agreed in Parliament and take effect from 30 December 2005.

ICSTIS has published its adjudication against 'Crazy Frog' service provider mBlox and issued an accompanying press release.

On 16 December 2005 Ofcom took emergency action against network operator Talkline Communications and directed them to immediately suspend the provision of premium rate services.

ICSTIS welcomes Ofcom bringing forward this consultation which in part arises from the outcome of the Review of Premium Rate Services conducted by Ofcom in 2004 and issued by Ofcom...

ICSTIS welcomes the opportunity to respond to this further consultation on the NTS Framework. We also welcome the evident value placed on our initial response to the October 2004 c...

Summary Note of Business from the ICSTIS Committee Meeting on 27 October 2005 – held at Clove Building, 4 Maguire Street, London, SE1 2NQ.

Ofcom has published proposals to increase consumer protection against rogue diallers. Existing premium rate services regulation applies to diallers using 09 premium rate or interna...

ICSTIS has published a consultation paper on how it intends to deal with refunds as part of its sanction powers and on proposals for developing best practice within the industry fo...

ICSTIS has published its half-year statement covering April to September 2005.

ICSTIS has issued its proposed Activity Plan and Budget 2006/07 for consultation.

ICSTIS has held its 10th Forum on 24 November at Brewers' Hall, Aldermanbury Square, London EC2V 7HR. The core issues for discussion were the 11th Edition of the Code of Practice c...

ICSTIS has fined North Wales-based Mobile Entertainment Group £100,000 for running an automatic calling equipment scam. Please see our press release for further details.

Following extensive consultation, ICSTIS has published a statement on enhancements to its governance arrangements which are being implemented to improve its stakeholder relations.

The latest issue of ICSTIS Quarterly has now been posted on the site and features updates on the proposed Eleventh Edition of our Code of Practice, SMS subscription services, quiz ...

Ofcom has published new proposals to increase consumer protection measures governing the use of 0870/1 and 0844/5 numbers. The deadline for responding to Ofcom is 6 December 2005.

The final version of the study on the pan-European market for premium rate services, which was commissioned by the European Commission, has been released.

Summary Note of Business from the ICSTIS Committee Meeting on 22 September 2005 – held at Clove Building, 4 Maguire Street, London, SE1 2NQ.

ICSTIS has launched a consultation on the introduction of new rules and a prior permission regime for premium rate TV quiz channels and for TV programmes whose dedicated purpose is...

Following Ofcom's publication, in August, of its notification of approval for an emergency amendment to the Tenth Edition of the Code of Practice, the amendment has now come into e...

ICSTIS has announced an emergency amendment to its Code of Practice to slow down the flow of money betweeen phone networks and those running premium rate services, and so deter rog...

ICSTIS has issued a revised version of its Guidelines on 'Provision of Consumer Information'.

ICSTIS has issued an updated version of its Code of Practice for consultation to ensure consumers are thoroughly protected in the fast-moving premium rate industry.

ICSTIS has released a piece of research commissioned by the organisation's Forward Look Group (FLG) covering future market developments in the Premium Rate Industry.

ICSTIS has welcomed new consumer safeguards announced by the UK's mobile phone operators that determine how premium rate subscription services can be marketed by content providers

ICSTIS has issued a reminder to the industry of its expectations as laid out within the Code of Practice regarding the delivery of SMS subscription services to consumers.

Following an adjudication in October 2004 which resulted in fines totalling £230,000 being imposed, service provider PRS Communications appealed against the adjudication. The adjud...

ICSTIS and the DTI have today issued a consultation document on a proposal to increase ICSTIS' fine limit from £100,000 to £250,000.

In reponse to the growing number of issues surrounding SMS subscriptions, ICSTIS has produced a factsheet on text services for children and young people.

ICSTIS acts to slow money-flow to premium rate rogues. ICSTIS, the premium rate services regulator, today announced its plans to make an emergency amendment to its Code of Practic...

The Steering Committee for the Ofcom Review of Premium Rate Services has published its third Stakeholder Monthly Update, detailing the progress made in implementing the recommendat...

The UK Competitive Telecommunications Association (UKCTA) has announced the introduction of a Memorandum of Understanding between leading telecommunications providers to stop the a...

For Immediate Release – Thursday 19 May 2005. ICSTIS strengthens Committee with commercial expertise. ICSTIS, the premium rate services regulator, today announced the appointment...

ICSTIS has published its proposals for creating an Industry Advisory Panel and an Originating Network Operator Forum. icstis is also reviewing the terms of reference for the ICSTIS...

City of London Police have today issued a press release on the arrest of four men on suspicion of conspiracy to defraud telephone customers.

The Steering Committee for the Ofcom Review of Premium Rate Services has published its second Stakeholder Monthly Update, detailing the progress made in implementing the recommenda...

Following the reminder issued to the industry on Code Obligations when providing premium rate SMS, Guideline 20 has now been updated.

ICSTIS has issued an alert about the rising number of complaints about recorded messages promoting premium rate services - typically prize claim lines.

ICSTIS has announced the levy that will apply to all outpayments to service providers from 1 April 2005.

ICSTIS has issued a Statement on its use of the Emergency Procedure in response to recent serious consumer harm caused by a number of service providers.

ICSTIS has issued a statement on subscription services paid for by premium rate SMS.

ICSTIS has issued its proposed Activity Plan and Budget 2005/6 for consultation.

Premium rate services regulator ICSTIS is to get greater powers to help it tackle those in the industry who deliberately set out to rip off consumers. The new powers have been reco...

Following its decision to license all companies wanting to run premium rate dialler services, ICSTIS, the premium rate services regulator, is shutting down all such services found ...

Ofcom today announced a review of the regulation of premium rate telephone services with a view to improving measures to protect consumers from fraudulent and unscrupulous activity...

Premium rate services regulator ICSTIS has today announced that all companies wanting to run premium rate services using Internet dialler software will be required to obtain its pr...

Premium rate services regulator ICSTIS today welcomed this week's launch of a UK Code of Practice for the self-regulation of new forms of content on mobile phones. The joint initia...