Ofcom exists to further the interests of citizens and consumers through a regulatory regime which, where appropriate, encourages competition. Effective competition delivers choice and lower prices to consumers as well as opportunities for new services and providers. However, consumers may need protection from inappropriate behaviour by certain providers that may undermine confidence in the market as well as causing consumer detriment.
In August 2004 Ofcom was asked by the Department of Trade & Industry (‘DTI’) to undertake an urgent review of the regulatory framework for Premium Rate Services (‘PRS’) in order to assess whether consumers are adequately protected from the potential for consumer detriment involving PRS.
On 15 April 2005 ICSTIS published a consultation document on a proposed emergency code amendment (‘the ECA’) to the ICSTIS Code of Practice (Tenth Edition) (‘the approved Code’) seeking comments on the proposal to include a specific obligation on Network Operators (‘NOs’), as defined in the approved Code, not to make payments to their SPs, also as defined in the approved Code, for at least 30 calendar days after calls have been made.
In light of comments received, Ofcom is endorsing its proposal that the ECA should take effect six weeks from the date of publication of this Notification.