Sky Talk Code of Practice for Premium Rate Services and Number Translation Services for Domestic Customers

This Code of Practice contains information for Sky Talk’s domestic customers relating to calls to premium rate services and number translation services.

1. Premium Rate Services

1.1 Identifying premium rate services
Premium rate service calls are calls to certain numbers which are typically prefixed by “090” or “091” or, in the case of mobile services, four or five-digit short access codes followed by a descriptive key word. Directory enquiry services beginning with “118” are also premium rate services.
Premium rate services offer information and entertainment through a variety of media including phone, fax, Internet, mobile and TV. Services range from sports results, voting and adult entertainment to competitions, chat lines, horoscopes and business information services. Premium rate service calls are typically charged at a higher rate than standard calls.

1.2 How premium rate services work
Premium rate services are provided by service providers, who are responsible for the content, product or services provided or who act as resellers or aggregators on behalf of a number of such providers.
When you make a call to a premium rate service number, Sky Talk ensures that your call is passed to the telephony company which receives the call on behalf of the premium rate service provider.
The revenue from the premium rate call is usually shared between the premium rate service provider, Sky Talk and the telephony company receiving the call, with the premium rate service provider receiving the bulk of the revenues. The premium rate service provider is also responsible for complying with most of the obligations imposed by the ICSTIS code of practice (see paragraph 1.6 below).
On request, Sky Talk can usually provide details of the identity of a premium rate service provider and the telephony company receiving the call on their behalf. Sky Talk do not currently offer a facility for barring calls to premium rate numbers.

1.3 Charges for calling premium rate numbers
If you wish to find out the cost of calling a particular premium rate number please call Sky Talk customer services on 08442 410 499.

1.4 Telephone Preference Service and Fax Preference Services
The Telephone Preference Service (TPS) is an opt-out register enabling people to register their wish not to receive unsolicited sales and marketing telephone calls. It is a legal requirement that companies do not make unsolicited sales and marketing calls to numbers registered on the TPS. You can register on the TPS free of charge by going to http://www.tpsonline.org.uk/tps/ or by calling them on 0845 070 0707.
The Fax Preference Service (FPS) is an equivalent register enabling people to register their wish not to receive unsolicited sales and marketing faxes. You can register on the FPS free of charge by going to http://www.mpsonline.org.uk/fps/what/ or calling them on 0845 070 0702.

1.5 Internet diallers
If you have a dial up Internet connection and try to access certain premium rate services such as sports highlights, film and music downloads or adult content, you may be asked to download a piece of software, know as a “dialler” which temporarily disconnects your dial up connection and re-connects to a premium rate number for the duration of the visit to the website. If you have broadband, the "dialler" may use your computer's dial-up modem to connect to the PRS number without disconnecting your broadband modem.
Many companies use diallers legally to bring in revenue from people who don't want to pay for services with their credit cards. Such companies will normally inform you of the premium rate call charges before you download the dialler.
However, in some cases, diallers can connect your computer to a premium rate number without your knowledge or consent. Such services are known as “rogue diallers”. Often the premium rate number used by a rogue dialler stays in your dialler, meaning that every time you connect to the Internet, the dialler will dial up the premium rate number.
You should therefore always be cautious about clicking on pop ups or links or accepting downloads, particularly if these appear unexpectedly. We also recommend you install the latest software and upgrades to protect your computer from rogue diallers. If you use a broadband connection, we recommend you leave your computer's dial-up modem unconnected from your telephone line.

1.6 Role of ICSTIS
ICSTIS, the Independent Committee for the Supervision of Standards of the Telephone Information Services, is the industry-funded regulatory body for all premium rate services.
ICSTIS regulates premium rate services in the UK through its Code of Practice, which contains the rules governing the content, promotion and overall operation of premium rate services. It investigates complaints and has the power to impose sanctions if the Code of Practice is breached. ICSTIS’ service is free to consumers and fully independent.
The ICSTIS website (www.icstis.org.uk) also provides a facility to help you identify individual premium rate service providers who provide premium rate services. ICSTIS contact details are set out at paragraph 6 below.

1.7 How to complain to ICSTIS
ICSTIS can only deal with complaints regarding premium rate numbers. Before submitting a complaint about a particular number, ICSTIS recommends that you visit its number checking facility (www.icstis.org.uk/consumers/ncd) for instant information about the number in question. If you are unable to access this facility, Sky Talk can check the number(s) on your behalf.
There are a variety of ways to submit a complaint to ICSTIS:
• if you have a hard copy of a promotion of the premium rate service you wish to complain about (e.g. a page from a magazine), you can make your complaint in writing, with a copy of the promotion, to: ICSTIS, FREEPOST WC5468, London, SE1 2BR
• by using ICSTIS’ online complaint form, which can be found at www.ictis.org.uk
• by calling ICSTIS’ free helpline, on 0800 500 212, between the hours of 8.00am and 8.00pm, Monday to Friday.

1.8 ICSTIS’ powers
If ICSTIS finds that its Code of Practice has been breached, the premium rate service provider must immediately amend the service and/or its promotional material so that it complies with the Code.
In addition, ICSTIS may impose any one or more of the following sanctions on premium rate service providers:
• issue a formal reprimand;
• order the premium rate service provider to submit future promotions and services to ICSTIS for prior approval;
• impose a fine;
• bar access to services;
• bar the individual(s) behind a company from running any other premium rate services under any company name on any telephone network for a defined period.
If it can be shown that your phone has been used without your permission to call a live (rather than pre-recorded) premium rate service, ICSTIS may be able to help you obtain compensation from the service provider.
Other organisations which may be able to help you include Citizens Advice, Trading Standards and the Telecommunications Ombudsman (see paragraph 1.9 below).

1.9 Role of the Telecommunications Ombudsman
The Office of the Telecommunications Ombudsman (“Otelo”), of which Sky Talk is a member, has the power to investigate complaints regarding calls to premium rate numbers appearing on your Sky Talk phone bill.
Otelo will only investigate such complaints if you have first complained to Sky Talk and either:
• your complaint remains unresolved three months after bringing such complaint; or
• you have received a letter from Sky Talk which says that we are no longer able to deal with your complaint (a “deadlock letter”). You may bring the complaint to Otelo within six months of receiving this letter.
If, following an investigation, Otelo finds that Sky Talk is at fault, Otelo may require Sky Talk to take action to rectify the situation. Otelo may, for example, ask Sky Talk to offer you:
• a product, service or some practical action that will benefit you;
• an apology or explanation;
• up to £5000 including VAT.
Sky Talk will of course abide by any decision of Otelo.
Otelo’s contact details are set out at paragraph 6 below.

2. Number Translation Services

2.1 Identifying number translation services
Number translation service calls are calls to certain numbers identified in the National Telephone Numbering Plan as “special service” numbers. Such numbers are typically prefixed by “08”, such as 0845 and 0870, and legacy 0500 Freephone numbers.

2.2 Tariffs for calls to number translation services
Our charges for certain number translation service calls can be found on our website (www.sky.com/skytalk), in our published price lists. If you if you wish to find out the cost of calling a particular number please contact Sky Talk customer services on 08442 410 499.

3. Contact us
If you have any queries or concerns about premium rate or number translation services or if you would like to discuss any charges for premium rate or number translation services found on your bill, please call Sky Talk customer services on 08442 410 499.

4. Availability of this Code of Practice
This Code of Practice is available free of charge on our website at www.sky.com/skytalk. Alternatively, please call Sky Talk customer services on 08442 410 499 to request a free hard copy.

5. Responsibility for complying with this code
Alastair Hosie is responsible for ensuring that Sky Talk complies with this Code of Practice. If you have any questions about our compliance with this Code please contact:
Alastair Hosie
Compliance Manager
Sky Talk
Carnegie Campus
Dunfermline
Fife
KY11 8GH
Tel: 01383 816009
alastair.hosie@bskyb.com

6. Contact Details for Icstis and Otelo

6.1 ICSTIS
Clove Building
4 Maguire Street
London
SE1 2NQ
Tel: 0800 500 212
www.icstis.org.uk

6.2 Otelo
PO Box 730
Warrington WA4 6WU
Tel: 0845 050 1614 or 09125 430049
enquiries@otelo.org.uk
www.otelo.org.uk

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