Earlier this month Ofcom announced that PhonepayPlus would take over the day-to-day regulation of 087 numbers from 1 August. The change in regulation will mean that all numbers beginning with 087, including 0871, 0872 and 0873 – with the important exception of 0870 – will be formally recognised as Premium Rate Services (PRS). The number range will come into the remit of PhonepayPlus’ Code of Practice. All service providers of 087 numbers will be required to follow the rules which are set out within the Code.

The transition period for regulation from Ofcom to PhonepayPlus will be six months, during which time, providers of 087 services (which include technical helplines, ticket bookings and road traffic advice lines) must ensure they comply with the PhonepayPlus Code of Practice.

In order to ensure a smooth transition, PhonepayPlus has created an implementation plan which will ensure all stakeholders are fully aware of the changes, any responsibilities they may have under PhonepayPlus' Code of Practice, actions they may need to take in order to become compliant and which parts of the Code apply to them.

For consumers, the plan will provide greater clarity regarding the cost of calls placed to 087 numbers, and their options should they have concerns about the promotion or operation of 087 services.

PhonepayPlus' implementation plan will include:

• Communication with 087 Network Operators and Service Providers formally advising them of their responsibilities under the Code of Practice and actions they may need to take to become compliant;
• industry workshops to introduce 087 Network Operators and Service Providers to the PhonepayPlus Code of Practice, its meaning and their responsibilities within it;
• media and marketing campaigns to educate consumers and industry about what the new regulatory regime means for them;
• online information and registration tools as a resource for industry and consumers to help them understand the changes and what they mean;
• publication of supporting materials including Helpnotes, FAQs, and a Statement of Expectation; and
• liaison with consumer protection groups to ensure they are fully briefed and able to direct concerned consumers as necessary.

Industry Workshops

The dates of the PhonepayPlus workshops to prepare industry for 087 regulation have been announced today, and PhonepayPlus is encouraging compliance representatives from 087 network operators or service providers to attend one of them.

The workshops will take place in Manchester and London on:

• 17 March – Manchester – 2-5pm
• 24 March – London – 2-5pm

The 087 workshops will include:

• information on PhonepayPlus, its regulation and how it will apply to the 087 number range;
• an in-depth look at PhonepayPlus’ Statement of Application for 0871, 0872 and 0873 services;
• break-out sessions focusing on specific compliance areas.

If you would like to attend one of these workshops, or if you have any questions, please reply to 0871workshop@phonepayplus.org.uk, or telephone Sarah Icken on 020 7940 7415.

If you have any questions or comments regarding PhonepayPlus 087 regulation, or if you require more information on the implementation plan, please contact the PhonepayPlus Compliance Team on compliance@phonepayplus.org.uk