Text messages sent to ordinary UK mobile numbers starting 071-075 and 077-079 can be inclusive in allowances else charged at the "standard message rate for a message sent to a UK mobile number" as published by the sender's mobile phone provider. The charge varies from mobile provider to mobile provider. Outside of inclusive allowances, some mobile providers charge up to 55p per message. The message recipient imposes no charges and receives none of the revenue.

Text messages sent to mobile numbers allocated in the Channel Islands or Isle of Man are usually non-inclusive and charged at a different rate. This rate must also be detailed in the tariff list published by the sender's mobile phone provider as it varies from mobile provider to mobile provider. Outside of inclusive allowances, some mobile providers charge up to 55p per message.

Text messages sent to five-digit mobile shortcodes can have two parts to the charge - one applied by the mobile provider when you send a message to the shortcode and/or one applied by the service provider when they reply. Messages sent to mobile shortcodes are never included in message allowances.

Sending a message to a five-digit mobile shortcode may be free-to-sender or may be charged at the "standard network rate for a text message sent to a mobile shortcode". Which one applies depends on the number the message is sent to. The service provider should state whether sending a message is free-to-sender (e.g. on 85095) or is "one standard message rate cost" (e.g. on 78070). The sender's mobile provider must declare the "standard message charge for a text message sent to a mobile shortcode" in their published tariff list because it varies from mobile provider to mobile provider.

There may be an additional or "premium" charge for receiving a message in reply. This can cost up to £10 per message received. It may be a one-time charge (such as when entering a competition or donating to charity) or it may recur if you have subscribed to a premium rate service that sends multiple messages (such as sports results, text chat services, etc). This revenue goes to the service provider.

If you were to donate something to charity using one of the many 70XXX shortcodes advertised for this purpose (where message charges are declared as, for example, "£5 plus one standard rate message"), it would be interesting to see whether you were charged £5.01, £5.12 or some other sum.

I suspect £5.12 would be charged. Whatever the figure, your mobile provider needs to add an entry to their tariff list - "standard cost of sending a text message to a mobile shortcode (where charged)", noting the service provider may add their premium charge on top and which the service provider must declare.

So despite the BBC stating, If you're texting us on 85058, you will be charged at your standard message rate for each message.", and 1p Mobile charges 1p per text but between 10p and £10 for premium texts, (which 85058 isn't), then 1p Mobile are OK charging 12p?

Does the BBC need to change their statement as it is obviously misleading/wrong.

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derrick wrote on Oct 11^th, 2017 at 7:56am:

Unfortunately, that is NOT the BBC complaints page.

That 0843 number is a premium rate "call connection service". It's effectively a scam.

The scam is described in detail here: http://www.fairtelecoms.org.uk/ICSS and here: http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.php?t=5639282
The scam has also been covered on BBC TV in Wales: http://www.fairtelecoms.org.uk/tv.html?wcGwGDp4wTs

The website promoting the premium rate 0843 number should be reported to ASA as being misleading. Very tew such reports are made.

Ian01 wrote on Oct 11^th, 2017 at 8:15am:


When I phoned 5Live this morning re the text number and charge displayed I was informed to contact the BBC complaints department and was given 2 phone numbers -
0843 2548737
0370 0100222

I told the person that 0843 was illegal and he just said contact BBC complaints, so they are giving out the 0843 number to callers wishing to complain.

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derrick wrote on Oct 11^th, 2017 at 10:39am:


In which case you have two reasons to complain, clearly this individual needs to be educated by the BBC over their own complaints number... oh and the BBC need to complain about an ICSS service claiming to be for BBC Complaints.

It does make your blood boil sometimes!