news archive 2006
april 2006ICSTIS RESPONDS TO OFCOM'S CONSULTATION ON CONSUMER POLICY (28 April)
icstis has submitted its response to Ofcom's consultation on consumer policy. We are supportive of the broad approach to consumer policy being developed by Ofcom and make some suggestions for how this policy may be refined as it is finalised.
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LATEST ADJUDICATIONS POSTED ON THE WEBSITE (21 April)
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ICSTIS QUARTERLY: SPRING 2006 (20 April)
Featuring: 66% fall in premium rate complaints, a visit from the Minister, Rt Hon Alun Michael MP, and a welcome to the new icstis chairman, Sir Alistair Graham. To receive a hard copy of the magazine, please e-mail christinem@icstis.org.uk.
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ICSTIS TO REGULATE 0871 CALLS (19 April)
icstis has issued a press release welcoming Ofcom's decision to extend icstis' remit to regulate 0871 calls as well as adult services, regardless of their cost. Click here to view further information about Ofcom's announcement.
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11TH ICSTIS FORUM (11 April)
icstis held its 11th Forum on 21st March 2006 at the Manchester Radisson Edwardian Hotel. The Forum featured presentations by Ofcom, the Information Commissioner's Office and the Wireless Application Service Provider Association.
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FURTHER STATEMENT ON PREMIUM RATE TEXT CHARGING TO 0871 AND ALL OTHER NON-PREMIUM RATE NUMBERS (7 April)
icstis has issued a statement updating the industry on developments and decisions made following a representation by the Mobile Broadband Group (MBG) to the icstis Committee in March putting forward proposals for the introduction of a prior-permission regime and Code of Conduct to supervise 'supplementary charging' for the third party voice services. At the time of writing a meeting is being organised between Ofcom, icstis and the MBG to further discuss options in moving forward. A further update will be issued following this meeting.
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LATEST ADJUDICATIONS POSTED ON THE WEBSITE (7 April)
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CHAIN E-MAIL (7 April)
It has come to our attention that a chain e-mail has been circulating the internet. It makes reference to the Royal Mail, the City of London Police and Parcel Delivery Services. ICSTIS appreciates that consumers want to find out more information about this alert and have issued the following comment.
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SANCTIONS GUIDE - UPDATED OCTOBER 2006 (4 April)
icstis has issued a guide on how it determines an appropriate and proportionate sanction when a service provider is found in breach of the icstis Code of Practice. This guide takes account of the new upper limit for fines and advises of the likely circumstances when this new upper limit may be applied by the Committee on a 'per breach' basis.
The guide in particular makes reference to some of the common aggravating or mitigating factors that the Committee may take into account when setting a fine at either a higher or lower level than they might do for a seemingly similar set of breaches from another service.
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PERMISSION FOR GAMBLING SERVICES (3 April)
icstis has issued a Notice detailing the timescales involved in processing applications for remote gambling services, following a number of requests from service providers.