icstis forums
14th icstis Forum - 20th February 2007The 14th icstis Forum was held at the atmospheric Churchill Museum & Cabinet War Rooms in London and was attended by over 80 industry representatives.
Andrew Bud, icstis Board Member, chaired the event. He opened the Forum by welcoming all attendees and giving them an overview of the day ahead. Andrew spoke of both the external and internal factors that are currently shaping the organisation. He also incorporated the concept of ICSTIS' continuous shift from a successful but reactive and enforcement-driven entity to a proactive, engaged, harm-preventative organisation.
Click here to view Andrew Bud's opening address
George Kidd, icstis Chief Executive, started off the presentations by updating the Forum on the progress of the ICSTIS Change Programme and Budget. He spoke about the Change Programme as a method of introducing a new approach to preventing harm and growing trust in the market, and touched on the issues that support the change, both in-house and externally. George then summarised the facts and figures that underpin the 2007/8 Budget and Levy.
Click here to view George Kidd's presentation
Next, Paul Whiteing, icstis Director of Policy & Innovation, updated the audience on ICSTIS' ongoing Review of Call TV. He spoke about the Call TV Summit that took place on 29 January with broadcasters, service providers and regulatory bodies all of whom have committed to assist with, and contribute to, the Review. He also presented the evidence sources and public survey findings, as well as the monitoring and complaints analyses of the Review. Paul then moved onto the Conclusions and Future Policy Options of the Review and reminded the Forum that the Call TV Quiz Services Review consultation closes on 12 March.
Finally, Paul conducted a brief Q&A session where questions focused on the logistics of the call cost warning proposals as set out in the consultation document, and whether or not icstis would be taking the Gambling Commission's proposals into consideration before publishing its own findings on Call TV. Paul clarified the situation saying that call cost warnings would not cap calls, but simply serve to make consumers aware of their spending and call limits. He also highlighted the importance of icstis' liaison with the Gambling Commission on the subject of Call TV, but stressed that icstis was pressing on with its Review regardless of whether or not the Gambling Commission's proposals are published in the interim.
Click here to view Paul Whiteing's presentation
Nathan Marshall, icstis Project Manager, spoke next on the issue of 0871. He updated the Forum on the outline that is in place for the project and gave detailed breakdowns of each element of the schedule from initial market research to final implementation in January 2008. Nathan then took questions from the floor regarding whether or not icstis would create a separate brand for 0871, whether a regulation impact assessment was being considered and whether or not icstis would be using the same funding model for 0871 as it did for premium rate numbers.
Nathan explained that, at the moment, there are no plans to create a distinct brand for 0871 because icstis hopes to encompass 0871 regulation in its new brand and image. He also said that a regulatory impact assessment is planned and that icstis will include this in its planned consultation. Finally, Nathan explained that the funding model for 0871 will be determined by proportionality. He said that icstis expects to use the same funding model initially, but this was still under review given uncertainties over market size, composition and the extent to which icstis compliance action might be necessary.
Click here to view Nathan Marshall's presentation
Paul Whiteing then addressed the Forum, this time on the subject of Ongoing icstis Projects, as well as the icstis Monitoring Programme. Paul spoke briefly about the 11th Code of Practice, which came into effect on 4 January, before summarising the ongoing success of www.phonebrain.org.uk, icstis' website aimed at young people, which was launched in December 2006. He then moved onto the issue of Stakeholder Engagement and its future in terms of forms of engagement and a wider public consultation on the subject. Paul's overview of the icstis Monitoring Programme provided the Forum with information on the types of services icstis monitors, various statistics that have come out of this monitoring and the plan for expansion.
Click here to view Paul Whiteing's presentation
The final Q&A session drew some interesting questions from the floor. One industry representative applauded icstis' monitoring programme but wondered if, based on the recent budget cut, this was an example of the ‘speed camera effect' - revenue generation by the back door. George Kidd responded that icstis has to be judged on its performance in this area and cannot go ‘wading in with big fines based on some assessment of our funding needs. There were robust procedures for adjudications, reviews, oral hearings and appeals to ensure decisions were proportionate.
Several questions were asked in follow-up to the 0871 presentation regarding whether icstis will be issuing a new Code or a Statement of Expectations in line with this takeover and, if so, when this will be. Questions were also asked about whether the 0871 project was being considered together with the icstis re-brand as many service providers will decide which way to move their business based on the new icstis brand. Nathan Marshall explained that there will be either a revised Code or new Statement of Expectations attached to the project, and that icstis hoped to have a clear idea of which course it will be taking by the end of March.
Andrew Bud closed the Forum by thanking the delegates for their input, and by emphasising the large amount of change and activity icstis was facing in the coming year. He stressed that stakeholder input was particularly important to these processes and reminded the attendees that the next 15th icstis Forum will be taking place on 28 June at Urbis in Manchester.
<<back