Glossary
Adverts about Phone Paid/Premium Rate services are often crammed full of technical terminology. We've listed and explained some of the jargon to make things clearer.
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W numbers
3G
Third generation mobile network. 3G phones often have more memory, can use WAP (mobile internet) sites faster and can download more info quickly.
4G
Fourth generation mobile network - a new improved version of 3G.
ACE (Automated Calling Equipment)
ACE is the system used to send automated messages to landlines in order to promote a premium rate service.
Age Verification
Some premium rate services are for over 18's only and anyone wishing to use these services will be required to show proof of age. Phone companies can do this in various ways, such as asking for credit card details, running identity checks or confirming age on the electoral role.
Bar/ block premium rate
Premium rate call barring allows you the option to bar any premium rate calls being made from your phone. If you request premium rate call barring then attempt to dial an 090 or 091 number from your phone, you will not be connected and you will hear an engaged tone. You can request premium rate call barring by contacting your phone company.
Bluetooth
A radio communications system. It is fitted in many handsets and can allow phones and other devicesto communicate when in close range to one another.
Bluejacking
Some users with Bluetooth may try to send text messages to strangers without saying who they are (nicknamed ‘bluejacking'). To prevent 'bluejacking' you should use your handset's Bluetooth settings to make sure yours is not ‘visible' to other mobile phones.
/call
Per call.
Call TV
Also known as 'Participation TV', these are shows which involve viewers at home playing the games on screen and calling in with their answer to win a prize. These services do cost money and you might not be old enough so make sure you check the price, age limit and ask the bill payer before you call. If you don't get through to the studio you will still be charged for calling in (even if it's only for a split second!).
Cap
This is another word for limit. You can request for your phone company to add a cap to your bill so that once the amount you have requested is reached, your phone network will contact you.
Club
This can mean you are joining a subscription service, which means you will get more than one of what you have ordered. This is often used for goal alerts or horoscopes that are updated regularly. To unsubscribe from the service text the word 'STOP' or 'STOP all' back to the sender. If this does not work contact PhonepayPlus and let us know about this service.
Code of Practice (COP)
The PhonepayPlus Code of Practice contains the rules governing the content and promotion of premium rate services.
Compatability
If you are buying a product for your phone, for example, a wallpaper image, you must ensure that the product is compatible with your phone. The product is only made for certain phone models so you must check that the model of your phone matches those that the product will work on. If the product does not work on your phone you will still be charged.
Diallers
Many companies offer access to certain internet/websites such as sports results, sites for charity contributions, music, downloads and ‘adult' (sexually explicit) material and charge the cost to your telephone account. If you come across a site that is charged like this you will, in most cases, have to download a piece of computer software/ application, know as a ‘dialler' on to you computer.
The dialler will disconnect you from your usual internet connection, provided by your own Internet Service Provider (ISP), and it will dial a new premium rate number so you can access the site.
It must not, however, allow you to access other sites. You can leave the site whenever you want by simply disconnecting from the service. The dialler must then disconnect you from the premium rate number and restore your own usual settings and connection.
Freephone
These numbers start 0800 and will not cost you money if you call from a landline (a fixed line phone). If you call from your mobile, call costs will vary and you will be charged.
GPRS
General Packet Radio Service is a way to upgrade 2G phones so they can send and receive data faster. GPRS is used on 2G handsets to access the internet on your mobile phone.
ICSTIS
PhonepayPlus (The Independent Committee for the Supervision of Standards of Telephone Information Services)
PhonepayPlus is the industry-funded regulatory body for all premium rate charged telecommunication services.
Independent Appeals Body (IAB)
The IAB consisits of five members, all independent from PhonepayPlus, whose role is to hear appeals by service providers.
Information Provider (IP)
An information provider is any person or organisation on whose behalf a service provider may provide a service.
Infrared
A type of invisible light that some handsets can use to communicate. It's an alternative to radio (see Bluetooth above) but requires direct line-of-sight to work.
Landline
Fixed-line and not mobile. The phone works through a line of wire running through the land to your house and is a fixed line even if you are walking around with the handset. Costs for calling from a landline and a mobile are different.
/min
Per minute - you will be charged every minute you are connected to the call.
MMS
Multimedia messages/photo messages. This enables you to take pictures and videos on your mobile phone and then send and receive them.
Ofcom (Office of Communications)
Ofcom is the independent regulator for the UK communications industries.
Originating Communications Provider (OCP)
Also known as 'Originating Network', the OCP is a phone network (e.g. BT) that sends you your phone bill and connects your call from your phone through to its destination (the number you have dialled).
Permission
If you are not the person who pays the phone bill, ask for permission before you make a call. If you don't get permission, don't call.
Premium rate
Premium rate services offer some form of information or entertainment that is charged to your phone bill. Premium rate calls are the most expensive and will cost between 10p and £1.50 from a BT landline (charges from other networks may vary). Premium rate numbers begin with 090 or 091 or use mobile shortcodes that are 4, 5 or 6 digits long.
Quiz TV
Also known as 'Call TV' or 'Participation TV', these are shows which involve viewers at home playing the games on screen and calling in with their answer to win a prize. These services do cost money and you might not be old enough to play so make sure you check the price, age limit and ask the bill payer before you call. If you don't get through to the studio you will still be charged for calling in (even if it's only for a split second!).
Reverse billing
Many text services (for example, football goal alerts) work on a ‘reverse billed' basis. This means that you will be charged for receiving these texts rather then paying to send your own. The cost of these services will vary depending on which network is being used and if the service is sold as a subscription service.
Ringtone
Your phone doesn't have to ‘ring ring' it can play a crazy sound or an excerpt from your favourite song.
Screensaver
Most often this is an animated picture on a phone to show that it is switched on. Can be chosen from your mobile phone image bank or paid for and downloaded from someone else's.
Service provider (SP)
A service provider is an company 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 PhonepayPlus Code of Practice.
Short code
A 4, 5 or 6 digit code that you can text to order a service (e.g. goal alerts, horoscopes, jokes).
SMS
Another way of saying text message. Stands for Short Message Service.
STOP command
You can unsubscribe from or stop any service that charges you for receiving texts (not sending them) by texting the word STOP to the SMS or TEXT Short Code number.
o Make sure you only send the word ‘STOP'.
o It doesn't matter if you use capital letters or lowercase.
o If you are using two or more services from the same SMS/TEXT Short Code number, you'll need to send STOP ALL to each SMS/TEXT short code to unsubscribe from each services.
Subscription
An on-going service which will provide you with something on a regular basis. This can mean getting something once a month (like a magazine), or a number of times every weekend (like goal alerts) or maybe once or more a day (like horoscopes).
T&C's
Terms & Conditions. Don't ignore the small print as it is really important. It tells you what you are buying, how much it will cost, how often you will be billed and how to stop a service if you no longer want it.
Terminating Communications Provider (TCP)
Also known as 'Terminating network', A TCP is the network at which your call will end its journey and connect to the service you are paying for. TCP's do not usually have public customers. Rather, their customers are OCP's and service providers (see above).
Text
Short messages that you can send to friends from your phone. Sometimes called SMS (see above).
VAT
Value Added Tax - an extra charge of 17.5% on top of the normal price. For example, a product costing £3 + vat will end up costing you £3.53 in total.
Video calling
Also known as "videophone" or "video conferencing", this lets two people with 3G video-calling phones talk to each other while seeing live video of each other. Some phones with this feature have a camera that moves or swivels, so it can face "in" at the user for video calling, and face "out" for taking photos. Other phones have two cameras - one facing in and one facing out.
VOIP
Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoIP) is a technology that allows you to send and receive calls over the internet. This often provides significant cost-savings over other technologies.
Wallpaper
The image on the home page of your phone. You may get some for free with your handset and can choose to buy others if you wish.
WAP
The technology that brings internet sites to mobile phones.
WAP push
A text with a link to a website in it. This can be a useful, fun service but you will often be charged each time you access the website.
WAP billing
If you visit a WAP site and buy something then the payment will be deducted from your credit or added to your phone bill.
/week
Per week. You'll normally see this in relation to the costs of a subscription service - where you'll be charged a certain amount every week. Remember, you can cancel a subscription just by texting the word 'STOP' to the service number.
00 (International)
International numbers start with (prefixed) with 00.
PhonepayPlus regulates international numbers only if they provide a product or service.
Please note that PhonepayPlus in unable to provide information on these services, however we do share the number details with phone companies so that, if necessary, they can take action.
070
This is the start of a personal number also known as a 'find-me-anywhere' service. 070 numbers cost up to 50p per minute from a landline (fixed line phone) but if you call from your mobile call costs will vary and you may be charged more. PhonepayPlus regulates 070 numbers if they offer premium rate-style services and the cost of the call exceeds 10p per minute.
0800
This is the start of a freephone number. Freephone is free to call from a landline (fixed line phone) but if you call from your mobile call costs will vary and you will be charged.
0800REVERSE
This is a call reverse charge service. Although this starts with 0800 and is free to dial (from landlines only, you will be charged if using your mobile), the person receiving the call will have to pay.
084
084 numbers cost up to 5p per minute from a landline (fixed line phone) but if you call from your mobile call costs will vary and you may be charged more.
087
087 numbers cost up to 10p per minute from a landline (fixed line phone) but if you call from your mobile call costs will vary and you may be charged more.
0871
0871 numbers cost up to 10p per minute from a landline (fixed line phone) but if you call from your mobile call costs will vary and you may be charged more. PhonepayPlus currently regulates some services operating on 0871 numbers. 09 numbers
0900/0901
Call cost up to 60p per minute with a maximum call cost of £5.00; or fixed cost up to £1.00 per call
0904
Open-ended at any cost per minute; or fixed cost per call at any rate
0905
Open-ended at any cost per minute; or fixed cost per call at any rate
09059
Live multi-party chat services costing up to 60p per minute
0906
Open-ended at any cost per minute; or fixed cost per call at any rate
0907
Pay-for-product services costing more than £1.00
0908/0909/098
Adult services at any rate, ranging from 10p to £1.50
091
Open-ended at any cost per minute; or fixed cost per call at any rate.
NB: The codes 0902 and 0903 have not been allocated at present and will be reserved for increased demand or new services.