Ofcom

Ofcom Consultation October release date

Posted on by Andrea Putnam-Moorcroft

Ofcom logo

Ofcom have provided an update about the release of their pending consultation to industry.

It had been expected at the start of September, but they have now confirmed that they are working to publish their document in early to middle of October. The consultation period is expected to be 8 weeks long. There is however, the potential that this may get pushed back due to the Parliamentary Recess taking place during this time.

This consultation represents the biggest regulatory change in 10 years, and industry are looking to this document to see what the regulatory landscape will look like going forwards, though Ofcom have confirmed they hope to keep as much of Code 15 as possible.

aimm’s Code 15 training is available for companies who wish to ensure that their business and staff are compliant under this Code. This comprehensive training provides a look at the key elements of Code 15 and the Standards a Provider is required to operate under. If this is something you would like to learn more about and how this could benefit your business get your copy of the information pack above.

aimm are running a series of Workshops through November to allow members to provide feedback and thoughts that will contribute to aimm’s consultation response.

We will continue to keep industry updated on this and the timelines for this release. If you wish to receive occasional industry and regulatory updates for your business please use our contact form to request to join our mailing list.

Learn more about the transition of the PSA into Ofcom and the Ofcom Consultation

aimm response to PSA announcement (future of phone-paid services)

Posted on by Andrea Putnam-Moorcroft

While we are surprised by this announcement, (regulatory responsibility will transfer from the PSA to Ofcom in late 2023) coming less than a month after the launch of a new Code of Practice, we do understand the reasons that have been put forward for the absorption of the PSA into Ofcom.

Huge progress has been made through collaboration across Industry and ongoing communication with the PSA – in particular the ability to liaise with the regulator on highly technical matters – and we look forward to continuing this relationship with Ofcom.

As the transition develops, we will continue to work with our members to ensure that they are consulted and able to input into the regulatory changes at every stage. In building a new relationship with Ofcom, we are keen that we can help refine further a regulatory landscape that is proportionate and allows for innovation and opportunity in our changing market.

For full details regarding the announcement by the PSA on their merger with Ofcom please see their press release.

The future of phone-paid services

Posted on by Andrea Putnam-Moorcroft

 

The Phone-paid Services Authority, the organisation which regulates premium rate services, and Ofcom have announced today that regulatory responsibility will transfer to Ofcom in late 2023, subject to further DCMS approval. From that point, the PSA would cease to operate as an independent body.

This proposed transfer of regulatory responsibilities has been approved by the Ofcom board.

For full details of the story please visit the PSA website: The Future of Phonepaid services

PSA consultation on revised Special conditions for ICSS

Posted on by Andrea Putnam-Moorcroft

PSA proposes extension of regulatory requirements to all call connection services and strengthens requirements

The Phone-paid Services Authority (PSA) has opened a consultation on revised Special conditions for ICSS – third-party services that connect or signpost callers to popular helplines via a premium-rate number.

The proposals are intended to improve the information about these services that is given to consumers, both in search results and on service websites, to make it clearer that they are third parties and that calls via an ICSS may be more expensive than calling the desired number directly.

These proposals follow changes in January 2019 to extend the scope of Ofcom’s Premium Rate Service Condition to include all ICSS within the definition of controlled premium rate services. This extended PSA regulation to all ICSS irrespective of the number range they are operating on. This consultation proposes that the PSA’s Special conditions for ICSS should apply to all ICSS, regardless of number range.

The consultation is open until 10th June 2019. Respondents are advised to use the new PSA consultations response form, available from the PSA website.

Annual licence fees for mobile operators

Posted on by Andrea Putnam-Moorcroft

Ofcom has today set the annual licence fees that mobile operators will pay for 900 and 1800 MHZ spectrum, from 31 January 2019.

The operators use these spectrum bands to provide mobile voice and data services, using a mix of 2G, 3G and 4G technologies.

In June, Ofcom published a consultation on the proposed licence fees that should apply for these spectrum bands. Following consideration of the responses, they have concluded that the appropriate ALFs for these bands (expressed in April 2018 prices) are:

  • 1.093m per MHz of 900 MHz spectrum; and
  • £0.805m per MHz of 1800 MHz spectrum

Ofcom are also consulting on the level of annual licence fees that should apply for the 40 MHz of spectrum in the 3.4 GHz band, and 80 MHz in the 3.6 GHz band, that are licensed to UK Broadband, which is owned by Hutchison 3G UK Limited.

Ofcom have proposed that the fees for both 3.4 GHz and 3.6 GHz spectrum would be £0.358m per MHz.  The consultation runs until 11 February 2019.