Social networking drives growth as new Code of Practice is published

The market report identifies social networking and the mobile internet as potential growth areas for PRS, with an increase of over 400% in the market for virtual goods bought using PRS on social networking sites, up from £1.5 million in 2009 to £8.1 million in 2010.

The Current and Emerging Trends in the UK Premium Rate Services annual market report is released as PhonepayPlus prepares to publish the new Code of Practice for the PRS industry tomorrow.

The new Code of Practice moves from a rules-based to an outcomes-focused approach to the regulation of the PRS industry. The result of this outcomes-focused approach is a Code of Practice that is flexible and nimble enough to ensure effective regulation of a fast-moving, innovative industry, protecting the PRS market as it develops and helping to sustain and build consumer confidence.

The good news for consumer confidence is that only 3% of phone-paid service users cited “lack of trust of the companies offering these services” as the reason they weren’t interested in using additional types of phone-paid services. A decrease in income and disinterest in the services offered were the most common reasons for consumers not to use more services.

Regulation has also helped consumer confidence and market growth in the 087 number ranges, with 087 revenues up from £78.2 million when regulation began in 2009 to £96.7 million in 2010.

The importance of the new Code of Practice in helping to build consumer confidence is clear in consumers’ attitudes to PRS. The single most important factor that would increase trust in PRS is accurate pricing, cited by almost 74% of PRS users.

Paul Whiteing, PhonepayPlus’ Chief Executive, said:

“Reading through this comprehensive report about the PRS market on the day we publish our new Code of Practice is a welcome reminder of how PhonepayPlus works as a regulator. We can see why effective, smart, integrated regulation that works with industry and not against it matters not just for business but – more than anything – for the consumer.

“The landscape for PRS is changing fast. We need regulation that allows industry to take full advantage of the opportunities that such innovation throws up while always keeping in full view the need to pre-empt and prevent consumer harm.

“I believe our new Code of Practice is exactly what we need in the years ahead to help us and industry meet the challenges and fulfil the opportunities outlined in this annual market report today.”

Please click here to view the Current and Emerging Trends in the UK Premium Rate Services Market report.

NOTES TO EDITORS

1. PhonepayPlus is the organisation (previously known as ICSTIS) that regulates premium rate services – the goods and services that you can buy by charging the cost to your phone bill and mobile pre-pay account. Further details of its work can be found at www.phonepayplus.org.uk.
2. This research was primarily conducted between October and December 2010, and comprised an online consumer survey (14,062 respondents aged 11 upwards) and 17 in-depth telephone interviews with industry stakeholders from across the in telecoms value chain. In addition, desk research, data from PhonepayPlus and data from Analysys Mason contributed to the market analysis.
3. For more information, contact the PhonepayPlus Press Office on (020) 7940 7440 or email pressoffice@phonepayplus.org.uk