PRESS RELEASE, 05/11/09

Premium Rate Services Bill needs to include consumer refunds

Annual Report Press Release 05/11/09

The Regulator of Premium Rate Telecommunication Services wishes to clarify recent media reports which distort the number of complaints received from the public.

“The public is using RegTel’s call centre largely as an information line. This service is one we are happy to provide, but it is a mistake to confuse total calls received with complaints,” ” said Regulator Mr. Pat Breen

During the year 80 million chargeable texts were sent and these resulted in over 2,000 complaints being received from the public about premium rate text services. Of the 30,000 calls received by RegTel's information line, over 80% related to subscription services, with most seeking advice on how to unsubscribe from services no longer required.

" In view of the number of queries an advertising campaign to help people to unsubscribe simply by texting back the word STOP ran on TV and radio last autumn, and has just been repeated. Feedback has been very positive so far and we intend to repeat it again", said Mr. Breen. " And the industry code of practice has just been revised to give people greater clarity on charging and how to unsubscribe. "

" I should also like to advise parents who are concerned about children accessing unsuitable services to make sure the age of the child using the mobile phone is registered with the network operator, who will restrict services appropriately", Mr. Breen said. "And they should be slow to lend adult-registered or unregistered phones to children".

Further Information

The revised Code of Practice is close to the end of a consultation process and is expected to take effect in May 2008. An information leaflet on unsubscribing from premium rate services was circulated to public representatives, citizens' advice centres, and budgeting services.

Details from 2006-7 RegTel annual report

Documents available

The RegTel Annual Report 2006-7 is available to download from www.regtel.ie, as is the current and draft Codes of Practice. The Code is binding on all service providers and network operators and services that do not comply are subject to withdrawal, immediately if warranted.

Independence of board

The board of RegTel and its staff are totally independent of the premium rate telecommunications industry. Members of the board are listed in the annual report.

Issued by:

Pat Breen. Regulator of Premium Rate Telecommunications Services

Crescent Hall, Mount Street Crescent, Dublin 2.