Ofcom give update on the release of their consultation

The Future of PRS Regulation, Ofcom Consultation Update

Ofcom logo

Industry had been expecting the release for the Future of PRS Regulation Ofcom Consultation, over the next few days. However, aimm has had an update from Ofcom stating that they have had to push this date back to early November, as they iron out the final details.

aimm has a series of Consultation workshops for our members in the diaries, to provide an opportunity for an exchange of views and feedback during the consultation period (which is expected to be 8 weeks).

As we look to reschedule these for the later release date there may be the opportunity for non-members to book a seat at one of our virtual online workshops, so others across industry have the chance to add their voice alongside that of the membership.

aimm will be submitting an official response to the consultation, as we do with all regulatory consultations, and the feedback we receive from across the industry value chain during these workshops helps to shape this document.

Having a seat at one of our workshops is a valuable opportunity to have your voice heard on such a pivotal regulatory milestone. If anyone is interested in finding out more about these workshops please get in contact with aimm.

 

The PSA is extending the implementation period

Following publication of the PSA’s Statement on introducing new Special conditions for all subscription services, and the new Special conditions for Recurring Donation services, the PSA held an implementation workshop for industry members working in the charity space to raise any implementation-specific queries, ahead of the regulatory changes coming into force on 1 November 2019.

At the workshop it was identified that some charity print and broadcast advertisements that have already been produced for upcoming campaigns may not be compliant with the updated Special conditions for Recurring Donation services.

Following consideration of this issue, the PSA is extending the implementation date for Special conditions RDS6(d) and RDS7(c) for specific providers, which will now come into force on 6 January 2020. The PSA considers that this will enable those providing recurring donation services who intend to use the two-stage Mobile Originating Short Message Service to obtain consumer consent to charge, sufficient time to make the necessary changes to their television and print advertisements to ensure compliance with the new Special conditions. This represents an approximately nine-week extension to the previous implementation date of 1 November 2019.

Full details can be found from PSA

PSA adopts new Case Prioritisation Principles

The Phone-paid Services Authority (PSA) has established a Case Prioritisation Policy and Principles, in order to best focus its resources and efforts in enforcement cases.

“We need to make decisions about the best use of our resources in order to deliver the best outcomes for consumers. This involves making appropriate decisions about which cases to pursue through formal procedures, and which of those cases to prioritise.”

These Principles are outcomes-focussed and aim to ensure that their resources and enforcement approach is targeted to have the greatest regulatory effect.

You can find out more about what this involves by reading the full Principles

New price cap on 118 numbers

People who call directory enquiry services will be protected from high prices under a new price cap on 118 phone numbers, announced by Ofcom today.

Ofcom have been concerned about directory enquiry prices rising steeply. Some providers charge almost £20 for an average 90-second call. The price charged by the most popular service – 118 118 – for a 90-second call is now £11.23.

Although there are cheaper services available, Ofcom’s research shows that consumers tend to call the numbers they most easily remember.

And while the number of calls being made to 118 services has been falling by around 40% every year, more than a million people in the UK – many of them elderly – still use these services.

The cost of calling many of these services is now well above what people expect to pay. Ofcom’s research estimates that around 450,000 consumers a year are paying £2.4m in total more than they expect for these calls, with some struggling to pay their bills.

So Ofcom is stepping in, by capping the maximum amount a 118 service can charge at £3.65 per 90 seconds. This will bring prices back to 2012 levels, and closer to what people expect to pay.

To allow providers time to adjust their prices and billing systems, the price cap will come into force on 1 April 2019.

A news release is available.

Free seminar on investigations and enforcement

Insights into PSA regulation: investigations and enforcement

Do you find our investigations and enforcement procedures confusing? Not sure what to do when we contact you about your service?

Then this seminar from PSA is for you.

 

It will take you through informal and formal investigations, the distinction between the two, the supporting procedures and our Code enforcement procedures.

So that if PSA enquire about your service, you’ll be clear on what you need to do.

There will be plenty of opportunities for questions too.

 

Spaces are limited so book yours now to avoid disappointment! BOOK HERE

Time: 29 November 2017, 13:00 – 16:00
Location: PSA, 40 Bank Street, London, E14 5NR