Regulations
Please feel free to read the details below, however we do advise you to visit http://www.icstis.org.uk for up-to-date information
ICSTIS regulates premium rate services in the UK. It issues a Code of Practice which contains the rules governing the content and promotion of premium rate services. The Code is supplemented by a set of Guidelines.
Premium rate services offer information and entertainment via phone, fax, PC (e-mail, Internet, bulletin board), mobile (SMS/WAP) or interactive digital TV. Services range from sports, voting and adult entertainment to competition, chat and business information services, and currently vary in cost from 10 pence per call to £1.50 per minute. The money paid for the call is shared between the telephone company carrying the service and the service provider providing the content.
A service provider is an individual, company or organisation that contracts directly with a Network Operator for premium rate numbers. The service provider is responsible for ensuring that the content and promotion of a service comply with the ICSTIS Code of Practice. This is the case even where the service provider is acting as a ‘reseller’ or ‘bureau’ providing the service on behalf of a client (‘information provider’).
Most services can be set up without ICSTIS’ prior permission. Certain services, however, which have been found to pose a greater risk of consumer harm may not be provided unless ICSTIS has given permission in the form of a certificate.
Where there is a requirement for prior permission, it is the service provider that needs to apply.
The quickest way to obtain permission is via registration, which is
available for live technical and legal advice service types with a maximum
call cost not exceeding £30.00.
The Registration form asks applicants to make a number of commitments
relating to compliance with the ICSTIS Code of Practice and to provide a
‘mock-up’ of promotional material. A certificate can usually be issued
within 7 working days of receipt of a completed Registration form.
The standard Application process is for services requiring closer consideration by the ICSTIS Committee. The form asks for more details about the service being proposed and, again, applicants need to provide a ‘mock-up’ of promotional material. Most standard applications can be ‘fast-tracked’, which means that a certificate is issued within ten working days of receipt of a completed form. For a few service types, including live entertainment, counselling and consumer credit services, the processing time is 4 weeks.
Please note that there is no charge for the prior permission process.
The Secretariat can advise on matters relating to compliance with the Code of Practice. It can also give advice on setting up a service and applying for permission.
There are certain categories of service which may not be provided unless ICSTIS has granted prior permission to operate the service. These include the following:
Please download ICSTIS Guideline 2 - Prior Permission (PDF format) for more details.
Where a proposed service falls into a category requiring prior
permission, an application needs to be submitted by the service provider to
the Secretariat using the Application form.
Where a proposed service will offer either live technical support, or legal
advice, with a total call cost for either service type not greater than
£30.00, a completed Registration form, together with a completed appendix,
will need to be submitted to the Secretariat.
Applicants and those using the registration process should note the following:
Applicants wishing to offer live entertainment services, including one-to-one live chat, live psychic/tarot and multi-party-chat should note the following:
For more information about applying for a permission certificate and about the categories of service for which prior permission is needed, please see ICSTIS Guideline 2 (above).
The following are outside ICSTIS’ remit:
Where a proposed service does not fall into a category of service needing prior permission, Service Providers should do the following:
Where a proposed service falls into a category requiring prior permission, an application needs to be submitted by the service provider to the Secretariat using either the registration or the application process, depending on the type of service.
Applications can take up to 4 weeks to process:
To go straight to downloadable applications and registration forms, please click here.
Prior permission should be obtained for the following service types via
registration. Registration will take 7 working days.
Live conversation services offering the following categories of
service:
Live entertainment services providers will be required to record calls. Paragraph 4.2.2 of the ICSTIS Code of Practice (Ninth edition) states that:
“Where recording of calls has been required, such conditions as ICSTIS
may think appropriate will apply but, in particular, service providers will
normally be required:
to use recording equipment compatible with ICSTIS replay facilities which
enables the time, date and content of Live Services to be accurately
identified from the recording; such recordings must enable ICSTIS monitoring
at all times.”
Service providers should note that any lack of compliance with this will always be regarded by the Committee as very serious.
All such equipment must fulfill the following specifications:
For the recording of multi-party chat services the equipment must also record:
Please note that if you are developing your own customised recording equipment or you are intending to operate multi-party chat services you will need to liaise with ICSTIS’ technical consultant to ensure that your recording equipment meets the above specifications. The technical consultant should provide you with evidence to support the fact that your equipment meets the above specifications and will normally charge £50 per hour plus travel expenses.
ICSTIS currently has playback facilities for systems manufactured and/or supplied by the following companies. Service providers are advised that they should not purchase a system, which does not appear on this list without first discussing the matter with ICSTIS.
Please note that it is a requirement that all Service Providers must have an approved recording system in place before commencing live operations
Forms are in PDF format viewable in Adobe Acrobat which you can download free here
Please download the General Application Form (PDF) if you wish to operate any of the service types stated below.
Application form to register a Directory Enquiry (DQ) service (PDF)
Note: DQ service now requires prior permission from ICSTIS,
Download the Registration Form (PDF)
Current appendices to the Registration Form
Download Live Technical Support Services Appendix (PDF)
Download Legal Advice Services Appendix (PDF)
Please remember that ICSTIS need both the registration form and an Appendix in order to process your request to register. Further appendices for other service types will be available in due course.