ICSTIS has recently published its 11th edition of the Code of Practice which can be downloaded in PDF here.

Pricing information is on page 25:

Quote:

5.7 Pricing information 5.7.1 Service providers must ensure that all users of premium rate services are fully informed, clearly and straightforwardly, of the cost of using a service prior to incurring any charge. 5.7.2 Written pricing information must be easily legible, prominent, horizontal and presented in a way that does not require close examination. Spoken pricing information must be easily audible and discernible. 5.7.3 In cases where it is unlikely that a consumer will have seen or heard any promotional material containing pricing information, the service provider must place a short, distinct pricing message at the beginning of the service. 5.7.4 Unless ICSTIS has given written permission to the contrary, the pricing information in promotional material transmitted on television or in another audio-visual format must be spoken as well as being visually displayed if the cost of the service generally exceeds £2. 5.7.5 Premium rate services which do not generally cost more than 50 pence are exempt from all ICSTIS requirements on pricing information, unless the services are: a children’s services (see paragraph 7.5), or b accessed by automated equipment (such as a burglar alarm or a modem operating in conjunction with software that causes a number to be dialled automatically when the user wishes to access the Internet), or c subscription services (see paragraph 7.12). 5.7.6 All operational or instructional messages necessary to obtain access to a service and provided separately to the service must be available free of charge to a user.

A search of the document makes not mention of "BT", so there appear to be no references to prices being related to BT landlines, as was the case.

The Helpnotes to accompany the latest Code of Practice are here. The Pricing Information note is here. No where is there reference to BT rates in it.

The Guidelines that accompanied the 10th Edition Code of Practice are here. These publications were effective until 3 January 2007 and Guideline No 1: Pricing information makes no mention of non-BT rates potentially being higher.

So what's changed?

The current guidelines are:

Quote:

Cost type Example wording Standard per minute PRS Calls cost [x]p per minute plus network extras Standard per minute PRS where duration is known Calls cost [x]p per minute and should last no more than [x] minutes. Network extras apply Single drop charges Calls cost [x]p plus network extras

I recently complained to ICSTIS about a TV prog giving an 0901 number and stating the cost was 10p, however it was 10ppm, I complained and was told that for charges of 50p or less on direct dialled services that are terminated by forced release they are exempt from all ICSTIS requirements with regard to pricing!

Probably because there would be so many complaints. It is so much easier to say "sorry, gov, not our area". Ugh.

Paragraph 5.7.5 seems to contradict paragraph 5.7.1.  :-/


Quote:

5.7 Pricing information 5.7.1 Service providers must ensure that all users of premium rate services are fully informed, clearly and straightforwardly, of the cost of using a service prior to incurring any charge. [...] 5.7.5 Premium rate services which do not generally cost more than 50 pence are exempt from all ICSTIS requirements on pricing information, unless the services are: a children’s services (see paragraph 7.5), or b accessed by automated equipment (such as a burglar alarm or a modem operating in conjunction with software that causes a number to be dialled automatically when the user wishes to access the Internet), or c subscription services (see paragraph 7.12).

Dave wrote on Mar 11^th, 2007 at 7:56am:

Paragraph 5.7.5 seems to contradict paragraph 5.7.1.  :-/

Have you queried this with them?

bbb_uk wrote on Mar 11^th, 2007 at 8:55am:

Have you queried this with them?

No. I've only just noticed it. I shall contact them.

I think that 5.7.5 is correct, and that there is a 50p threshold.

Does this mean that PRS 09x numbers costing less than 50p/min (from a BT landline) are exempt from not being able to charge for being held in queue?

bbb_uk wrote on Mar 12^th, 2007 at 7:43pm:

Does this mean that PRS 09x numbers costing less than 50p/min (from a BT landline) are exempt from not being able to charge for being held in queue?

No, because it says:


Quote:

5.7.5 Premium rate services which do not generally cost more than 50 pence are exempt from all ICSTIS requirements on pricing information, unless…