PhonepayPlus Industry Liaison Panel Terms of Reference
Revised version agreed by ILP and PhonepayPlus
August 2008
Introduction
The ILP is an advisory panel identifying emerging trends and issues facilitating a two-way communication between the industry and PhonepayPlus the agency regulating Premium Rate Services on behalf of Ofcom. The relationship exists to ensure regulation is well informed though early sharing of concerns, information, ideas and proposals from both sides.
ILP Summary notes
January 2009 ILP summary notes
November 2008 ILP summary notes
August 2008 ILP summary notes
June 2008 ILP summary notes
February 2008 ILP summary notes
February 2007 ILP summary notes
December 2006 ILP summary notes
September 2006 ILP summary notes
July 2006 ILP summary notes
February 2006 ILP summary notes
Membership
Meetings will be open to one representative from each of the trade bodies accepted for membership by PhonepayPlus. The nominated trade body attendee should be in good standing with PhonepayPlus and should not have direct company association with any service provider or network whose breach record with PhonepayPlus is such that their membership of the Industry Liaison Panel (ILP) would undermine its integrity. Such matters will be judged on their merits by the collective membership of the ILP and PhonepayPlus.
In addition the meeting will be open to BT plc due to its position in the UK communications industry
PhonepayPlus may also at its discretion appoint up to four other associate industry members active in the delivery of PRS from amongst service or content providers where trade body representation does not sufficiently reach those particular sectors for example amongst broadcasters who are engaged in the use of PRS. These four members will not be permanent members of the Panel and will be rotated over time having regard to the needs of PhonepayPlus and ILP and to ensure a balance of discussion with the widest range of interests.
The Chairman will be appointed by the membership and be from industry. The appointment shall be for a period of one year. ILP membership shall also include the industry representatives on the PhonepayPlus Board and from the Executive.
Role
- To consider and advise PhonepayPlus on issues relating to the development of regulation of the premium rate industry. The engagement of the ILP with PhonepayPlus will include an informal pre-consultation process for key PPP policy proposals work
- To advise PhonepayPlus on the general effectiveness of the Code of Practice. To provide comments on the effectiveness and workings of the Code of Practice with a view to strengthening trust and confidence in the provision of PRS
- To act as a key forum for PhonepayPlus to raise and inform on matters relevant to all commercial stakeholders
- Annually, to receive and comment on a presentation of the PhonepayPlus budget
- To consider and advise PhonepayPlus on suggestions for improvements to the collection arrangement for the PhonepayPlus Levy, fines and Administrative charges
- To receive updates on the work of the PhonepayPlus Contact Centre and discuss means of improving the signposting arrangements between networks, PhonepayPlus and other relevant bodies to ensure a successful customer experience
- To discuss trends in complaints, sanctions and Contact Centre activity with a view to early identification of concerns and pre-emptive solutions.
- To act as a forum where matters relating to consumer information and education about PRS via telephone bills and other mechanisms can be discussed.
Meetings
The ILP will normally meet at quarterly intervals. Meetings of sub-sets of the main membership of the ILP may also be convened on an ad hoc basis where such a meeting would be desirable to either PhonepayPlus or commercial stakeholder members, or a sub-set thereof. Membership of such meetings may be extended to others who are not ILP members where it is deemed desirable to do so and where the expertise of those others is generally recognised to be of benefit to the task or issue in hand.
Notes of the meetings (and any sub-Panel meetings) will be circulated with any papers for subsequent meetings and be provided to the PhonepayPlus Board. The meeting notes will be signed off by the chairman. They will also be published on the PhonepayPlus website. The PhonepayPlus Activity Report will contain a summary report of the work of the ILP in the preceding year.
Administration
PhonepayPlus will provide the administrative support for the ILP, including note taking and distribution, and meeting space.