PhonepayPlus today published its operations report for the months of October to December 2008. It details the number and type of complaints PhonepayPlus received, as well as other information relating to the way it interacts with consumers and businesses. 

This information was presented to Premium Rate Regulator PhonepayPlus Industry Liaison Panel on 24 February 2009.

Premium Rate Regulator PhonepayPlus has just published a revised Help Note entitled “How and when PhonepayPlus will deal directly with an Information Provider”.

This document outlines how PhonepayPlus will deal with a request under paragraph 8.7 of the PhonepayPlus Code of Practice (11th Edition, amended 28 April 2008) to deal directly with an information provider in relation to Code breaches. A copy of the guidance can be found on the Premium Rate Regulators website.

Whilst the Premium Rate Association is supportive of the idea that PhonepayPlus should deal with an Information Provider, where it is clear it has been instrumental in a breach, we question the method in which this document has been presented to the industry and are concerned about its application in practice.

The Premium Rate Association has written to PhonepayPlus to outline the following concerns:

·       The document has been published without industry consultation or discussion
·       The document was not presented to the Industry Liaison Panel for comment ahead of publication
·       This policy has been presented in the form of a Help Note, rather than a Code provision reducing PhonepayPlus’ accountability
·       Investigations are to be governed by the ease in which  PhonepayPlus can levy sanctions, rather than evidence of who was truly responsible for the breach
·       That the policy is effectively useless, as PhonepayPlus will revert to the SP, if an IP refuses to co-operate.

If members have additional concerns they wish the Premium Rate Association to raise then please let us know.

We will update members with the response we receive from PhonepayPlus and will be referring the matter to Ofcom if a satisfactory response is not received.

PhonepayPlus ensures smooth transition to premium rate regulation of 0871 number range with six month implementation plan

Ofcom has today announced that PhonepayPlus will take over day-to-day regulation of 0871 numbers on 1 August 2009, when numbers beginning 087 - with the exception of 0870 - will formally be recognised as Premium Rate Services (PRS), putting them under the remit of PhonepayPlus’ Code of Practice. PhonepayPlus’ implementation plan

Ofcom has also announced a six month transition period, during which providers of 0871 services - which include technical helplines, ticket bookings, road traffic advice lines - must ensure they comply with the PhonepayPlus Code of Practice.

PhonepayPlus has responded with the announcement of an implementation plan which will ensure all stakeholders are fully aware of the changes; any responsibilities they may have under PhonepayPlus’ Code of Practice; actions they may need to take in order to become compliant; and which parts of the Code apply to them. 

For consumers, the plan will provide greater clarity regarding the cost of calls placed to 0871 numbers, and their options should they have concerns about the promotion or operation of 0871 services.PhonepayPlus’ implementation plan will include:
 

• Communication with  0871 Network Operators and Service Providers formally advising them of their responsibilities under the Code of Practice and actions they may need to take to become compliant;
       

• industry workshops to introduce 0871 Network Operators and Service Providers to the PhonepayPlus Code of Practice, its meaning and their responsibilities within it;
       

• media and marketing campaigns to educate consumers and industry about what the new regulatory regime means for them;
       

• online information and registration tools as a resource for industry and consumers to help them understand the changes and what they mean;
       

• publication of supporting materials including Helpnotes, FAQs, and a Statement of Expectation; and
       

• liaison with consumer protection groups to ensure they are fully briefed and able to direct concerned consumers as necessary. 

Application, consultation, regulation - background to handover
Ofcom has today announced the outcome of a Review of the 0871 number range, which contained a package of measures to improve consumer protection and pricing transparency. Ofcom has decided to make 0871 numbers subject to premium rate regulation which is defined by the PhonepayPlus’ Code of Practice. The Code will also now extend to 09 numbers that are charged at more than five pence per minute (PPM) and less than 10 PPM.