Please find below significant updates reported Friday by the FCS Numbering Group, which we re-produce with thanks. 0871 Ofcom has announced a delay in the implementation of new arrangements for the regulation of 0871 until at least the Spring-Summer, due to delayed submission of the Statement by PhonepayPlus (ICSTIS). Questions regarding the levy for 0871 premium rate regulation remain unanswered. The 1st February, 2008 is therefore not applicable, but no firm date has yet been set. 070 Pre-call announcements Ofcom and OCP have been asked to remove pre-call announcements due to safety concerns and that they did not comply with international standards. It was also pointed out that UKCTA had already warned Ofcom in early 2005 regarding the risk of these announcements interfering with modem operation. See the answer to question 11 on pages 12/13 in: http://www.ofcom.org.uk/consult/condocs/ntsoptions/Responses/ukcta.pdf We expect formal announcements from Ofcom on all of the above shortly.

Our latest web-based tool set for tipsters was launched this month, allowing tipsters to set up and manage pin number services. For full details please call for a demo on 0870 429 6101.

Square1 have been chosen to provide the sms voting platform for the first ever Indian Idol show in the UK. The show has been already been a huge success in India and now its has its first ever showing in the UK. Square1 have been chosen to provide the voting via its i-Cast media platform.

ICSTIS has today published a consultation document outlining its proposals to introduce prior permission for premium rate services used in television and radio programmes.

http://www.icstis.org.uk/pdfs_news/PressRelease_prsbroadcastConsult.pdf

The consultation runs until 12 June 2007.

ICSTIS PROPOSES TOUGH CONSUMER SAFEGUARDS FOR 0871 SERVICES

ICSTIS, the premium rate services regulator, has today proposed tough new consumer safeguards for 0871 numbers, on which consumers spend over £300m each year. The proposals include the need for clear and prominent price warnings in all advertisements, as well as new procedures for dealing with refunds when callers feel that they have been kept on hold unnecessarily by call centres. Following the decision by Ofcom that ICSTIS should regulate 0871 numbers from early in 2008, ICSTIS has published a consultation document outlining how it proposes to regulate these numbers and ensure that consumers can have trust and confidence when using 0871 numbers. The closing date for comments is 28 June 2007.

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