Ofcom has officially taken over the regulation of premium-rate services (PRS), a role previously held by the Phone-Paid Services Authority (PSA).

Until now, Ofcom and the PSA worked together to oversee the PRS market, with the PSA handling day-to-day regulation and Ofcom ensuring the sector was effectively managed.

This transition follows a period of collaboration between Ofcom and the PSA to ensure a smooth handover of regulatory responsibilities.

What are premium-rate services?

Premium-rate services (PRS), also known as phone-paid services, allow people to access interactive services through their landline, mobile phone, computer, or digital TV, with charges applied directly to their telephone bill.

These services include charity donations via text, music streaming, TV competition voting, directory enquiries, broadcast competitions, and in-app purchases.

What does this change mean for consumers?

As Ofcom assumes regulatory responsibility, a new set of rules will be introduced under the Communications Act. However, consumers will experience minimal changes, as key protections remain in place, including:

• Consumer protection standards, covering transparency, fairness, customer care, support for vulnerable consumers, and safeguards against harm and offence.
• Organisational standards, including requirements for registration, due diligence, risk assessment, and effective systems.
• Other obligations, such as funding arrangements, information disclosure requirements, and records retention policies.

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