New Ofcom Regulations for 07, 09, 0871/2/3 Numbers

PhonepayPlus to Regulate 0871, 0872 and 0873 Numbers

Ofcom is the regulator for the UK communications industries, covering television, radio, telecommunications and wireless communications services.

PhonepayPlus is the regulatory body for all premium rate charged telecommunications services.

From 1st August 2009, premium rate regulator PhonepayPlus will regulate 0871, 0872 and 0873 numbers that are charged at more than 5p per minute and up to 10p per minute (for BT customers).

Ofcom will also bring 09 numbers charged at these rates (charged at more than 5p per minute and up to 10p for BT customers) within PhonepayPlus' remit.

You can view the full statement online at:
www.ofcom.org.uk/consult/condocs/087prs/087statement.

How will this Impact your Customers?

Anyone wishing to hold 0871, 0872 and any 09 ranges must register with PhonepayPlus and comply with the 11th Code of Practice and the Statement of Application.

The key areas that the PhonepayPlus regulations cover are:

	Customer Service Arrangements Customers must be clearly informed of the price of a call before incurring a charge
	Undue Delay Customers need to be advised of their expected wait time on the phone
	Fairness Promotions must not mislead or take unfair advantage of consumers
	Redress Consumers will be able to complain to PhonepayPlus

You can find more information about the Statement of Application and 070 here:
www.phonepayplus.org.uk/latest_news/default.asp.

You can find more information about the 11th Code of Practice here:
www.phonepayplus.org.uk/pdfs_code/PhonepayPlus11CoP_Apr08v3.pdf.

We would like to stress that customers should seek their own legal advice regarding compliance. PhonepayPlus has a dedicated team to help with this, and customers can contact them at: compliance@phonepayplus.org.uk.