subject: Regulating The Premium Rate Sector - Information About Ppp's Role. [print this page] ICSTIS is the regulatory body that later came to be known as PhonepayPlus. All premium rate phone services in the United Kingdom are regulated by PhonepayPlus. When customers are charged for services that they buy over the telephone, those services are called premium rate services. The cost of the service is charged to their phone bills.
A Code of Practice is issued by PhonepayPlus to provide guidelines. The Code of Practice is also approved by the Ofcom. It details all the rules and practices that premium rate service providers must necessarily follow. There is a strict requirement for accurate pricing information which is unambiguous, honest advertising and service content that does not mislead. The Code of Practice also demands that businesses use only appropriate promotions.
PhonepayPlus also takes up the role of the investigator for customers. If any complaints are raised about the phone paid services received from a service provider, PhonepayPlus investigates the issue. If the regulator comes to a conclusion that any of the rules that it has set have been broken by the service provider, it can and will take action. It is authorised to fine the company, bar access to the services that it provides and can even ban the company from running other or similar services under a different company name. As far as the customers are concerned, all investigations and adjudications are completely free. The investigations are also fully independent and not influenced by any groups or vested interests.
If and when PhonepayPlus rules on a breach of code, the company that has been found responsible must take remedial actions immediately. It must amend the promotional materials and/or the services that it provides so that the Code is strictly complied with. The company must also cover the cost of the investigation in most cases.
PhonepayPlus has the power to impose sanctions as follows:
* Make companies come to the regulator for prior approval
* Make formal reprimands
* Order companies to pay full refunds to complainants
* Bar access to services
* Impose fines as they deem fit
* Ban named persons from operating services under another company name
PhonepayPlus is a non-profit making organisation. It focuses on pre-empting and preventing problems. It is committed to providing effective customer protection on a long term basis.
To know more about premium rate numbers and how you can get one for your business, visit the Numbertalk website. Numbertalk offers telecom services in the form of 0800 Numbers, 0844 numbers, 0845 Numbers, 0871 numbers, 03 numbers, premium rate services, freephone numbers etc.
