Archive for July, 2011
Posted by TTNC on July 29th, 2011
Ofcom today amended the PRS Condition to require all controlled PRS providers from 1 September 2011 to comply with PhonepayPlus’ enforcement directions.
This change is required to ensure the successful implementation of the new PhonepayPlus Code of Practice, which also comes into force on 1 September 2011.
The statement can be found here
Ofcom has also today published a consultation to consider whether some types of PRS require specific PRS regulation.
Ofcom is proposing that:
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Payforit, a payment mechanism for WAP and web users offered by mobile providers should continue to be regulated by PhonepayPlus; and
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Fixed and mobile portal content services charged to customers’ phone bills should no longer be regulated by PhonepayPlus, but should be self-regulated.
The consultation can be found here
Tags: Mobile Operators, Ofcom, PhonepayPlus, Premium Rate services
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Posted by TTNC on July 21st, 2011
Ofcom has published a statement on wholesale charge controls on BT for calls made through them to 08 and 09 numbers. People use these numbers to contact a range of organisations including businesses, government agencies and charities for many reasons including getting information about events, buying services and voting on TV shows.
A significant proportion of all landline calls are made through the BT network. BT is required to provide services to other telecoms companies for moving these calls around the networks. Where a caller uses a BT landline, Ofcom regulates the amount that BT can retain from the retail price for providing these calls.
Ofcom’s charge control includes an increase in the amount that BT can retain for non-payment by customers making calls to more expensive 09 numbers.
Ofcom’s statement can be found here
Tags: 08 numbers, 09 numbers, BT, Call Charges, Ofcom, Premium Rate services
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Posted by TTNC on July 11th, 2011
Ofcom has published its 2011 Internet use and attitudes bulletin – a round-up of key internet metrics across a variety of groups within the UK, based on its regular Technology Tracker and media literacy surveys.
Key points include:
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Three-quarters (76%) of UK adults aged 16+ say they have internet access at home, and 74% say they have broadband access at home.
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Thirty-two per cent say they go online via their mobile phone. Fifty-seven per cent of 16-24s say they do this compared to 2% of those aged 65+. One third (33%) of people in urban areas say they go online via their mobile, compared to 23% in rural areas.
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Seventy-one per cent of those with home internet access say they buy things online, and this does not vary by sub-group. However, other types of activity vary considerably – for example, 48% of those in ABC1 households say they look up information on government or council websites, compared to 19% of those in DE households.
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Nearly two-thirds of internet users (64%) say they are confident installing security features. Men (72%) are more likely to say this than women (56%).
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Among non-users, there are low levels of interest in various aspects of the internet, such as email (16% interested); and buying things (13% interested).
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Among non-users, ‘proxy’ use of the internet by someone else on their behalf stands at 21%. Eleven per cent of those not intending to get the internet cite cost as their main reason, and 47% cite a perceived lack of interest – up seven percentage points on 2010.
Click here to read more from Ofcom’s Media Literacy Research
Tags: Consumers, Internet, Ofcom, Research
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