Keeping a healthy market of premium rate services

Earlier this month, Mark Collins, Head of Regulatory Development at PhonepayPlus, attended the World Telemedia conference engaging with industry and explaining the upcoming changes to the PhonepayPlus Code of Practice, which sets out the regulatory outcomes required for the whole value chain involved in providing premium rate services in the UK.

Our vision is that anyone can use premium rate services with absolute confidence in a healthy and innovative market. Within our remit and expertise, we seek a more consistent approach to regulating micropayments that are like PRS. 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 premium rate services industry:

• There are approximately 2,800 premium rate services providers in the UK. We work with them to ensure compliance and to support market growth through focus groups, workshops and regular engagement.
• We meet monthly with a number of providers to identify and address emerging issues. This enables us to prevent consumer harm and improve compliance.
• In 2013/14 we have issued over 4,000 due diligence reports to premium rate services providers as a safeguard for consumers
• The polluter pays. We make sure that premium rate services causing harm in the market pay for the additional regulatory cost they create. In 2013/14 we have barred 14 companies and individuals from operating premium rate services in the UK after being found in serious breach of the Code.

Our team are here to help. If you’re a PRS provider you can get in touch with us via:

• phone on our Industry Enquiries line at 0845 026 1060*
• email to compliance@phonepayplus.org.uk
• post, writing to us at Industry Support & Policy Team, Clove Building, 4 Maguire Street, London SE1 2NQ

* Calls provided by BT will be charged at up to 5p per minute. If calling from other networks, check the charges with your provider