subject: Premium Rate Numbers And Services [print this page] PRS, which stands for Premium Rate Service, is a term used to refer to services provided by businesses which are marketed and sold using premium rate numbers and charged to the customer via their telephone bill. PRS can include activities such as chat hotlines, television voting, ringtone downloads, virtual scratch cards and even interactive games. Because of the figures involved, there is some fairly complex legislation which governs the operation and use of PRS and the premium rate numbers which are used to access them.
Premium rate numbers usually begin with 090 and businesses looking to apply for such a number will need to develop a detailed understanding as to what is involved in getting one and how to best run a PRS using a premium rate number. Although longer premium rate numbers beginning in 090 are generally available to landline customers, certain PRS can utilise a shortened dialling code for use by customers calling via mobile phone. Industry regulator Ofcom delegates the supervision of the PRS industry to PhonepayPlus and there is a detailed code of practice outlined by this firm to which any business looking to offer PRS via a premium rate number must adhere. As such PhonepayPlus is responsible for the content contained on all premium
There are a variety of PRS which can be offered by companies thanks to the providers of premium rate numbers. Those looking to set up a chat service can open a premium rate number which gives callers access to a multi-party conversation made up of other callers to the number. This allows for total anonymity for those calling the number, hiding their own contact details thanks to a centrally hosted conversation. Various media companies make use of premium rate numbers in order to monetise information services such as traffic updates and sports results and there are a large number of PRS offering psychic and horoscope services which rely on a premium rate number to generate income.
Premium rate numbers are not simply utilised by those who wish to benefit from the revenues that they can generate. They can also be used by charities and fund raising organisations in order to provide people with a quick and easy way in which to donate money without having to hand over payment details. Premium rate numbers are also used by services offering advice and support to callers. In many cases, these are companies are simply looking to cover their costs rather than turn a significant profit from the use of premium rate numbers.
Many dating services operate using a premium rate number, which allows people to call in and meet others who have contacted the service, making it easy to create relationships. Those wishing to promote an entertainment line for the over 18s will also need an 090 number and there are number ranges that are specially reserved for the purpose. Premium rate numbers can give callers access to live or pre-recorded information as the operator sees fit. The applications to which premium rate numbers can be applied also includes a range of possibilities for bookmakers, job agencies and many other businesses to operate a PRS by using an 090 number.
