Premium rate services (PRS)

12 July 2012

Premium rate services are a form of micro-payment for paid for content, data services and value added services that are subsequently charged to your telephone bill. They tend to cost more than a normal phone call or text message. They usually operate on numbers beginning 09, 118, 087 or five or six digit mobile voice and text shortcodes.

The premium rate industry in the UK incorporates a diverse number of services, such as:

  • Directory Inquiries;
  • 087 business information lines;
  • Mobile games;
  • Competitions and quizzes;
  • Charity donations;
  • Adult entertainment; and
  • Chat services.

Ofcom has overall responsibility for regulating premium rate services. The Phone-paid Services Authority (PSA) is appointed by Ofcom to carry out day-to-day operations. Further information about PSA can be found at www.psauthority.org.uk

(The Phone-paid Services Authority was known as PhonePayPlus until 31 October 2016.)

Review of Premium Rate Services - An application of the analytical framework