What type of service do you intend to operate?
Please click on the relevant link(s) for a general checklist on what you need to do before setting up your phone paid service.
Live Psychic/ Tarot and Horoscope services
Live psychic/tarot services require prior permission and can only be operated if a bond is provided by your bank (this is likely to be in the region of £5000 -£8000) and all calls are recorded using PhonepayPlus approved recording equipment.
Recorded psychic/tarot and horoscope services do not require prior permission. However, prior permission will be required if the cost of the service is greater than £1.50 per minute and/or if the service is charged at more than £1 per minute and the total cost of the call can exceed £30.
Applications for prior permission cost £300 + VAT.
- Step 1– Read through the Code of Practice – this contains the rules governing the content and promotion of phone paid services.
- Step 2 – Read the Conduct of Live services fact sheet – this details the required conduct for live services.
- Step 3 – Find out what type of PhonepayPlus approved recording equipment you will need. Click here to view the recording equipment requirements and a list of the approved suppliers.
- Step 4 – Register. Click here to go to the registrations menu.
- Step 5 – Apply for Prior permission. Prior permission must be sought by the service provider. If you are an information provider please ensure your service provider has a live entertainment licence from PhonepayPlus before you commence operation.
If you do not know whether you are a service provider or information provider please click here
Live chat services
Live chat services require prior permission and can only be operated if a bond is provided by your bank (this is likely to be in the region of £15000 - £19000) and all calls are recorded using PhonepayPlus approved recording equipment.
Applications for prior permission cost £300 + VAT.
- Step 1– Read through the Code of Practice – this contains the rules governing the content and promotion of phone paid services.
- Step 2 – Read the Conduct of Live services fact sheet – this details the required conduct for live services.
- Step 3 – Find out what type of PhonepayPlus approved recording equipment you will need. Click here to view the recording equipment requirements and a list of the approved suppliers.
- Step 4 – Register. Click here to go to the registrations menu.
- Step 5 – Apply for Prior permission. Prior permission must be sought by the service provider. If you are an information provider please ensure your service provider has a live entertainment chat licence from PhonepayPlus before you commence operation.
If you do not know whether you are a service provider or information provider please click here
Live Entertainment Services
Live entertainment services require prior permission and can only be operated if a bond is provided by your bank and all calls are recorded using PhonepayPlus approved recording equipment.
Please note that the amount of the bond is determined by several factors, for further information please call 0845 026 1060.
Applications for prior permission cost £300 + VAT.
- Step 1– Read through the Code of Practice – this contains the rules governing the content and promotion of phone paid services.
- Step 2 – Read the Conduct of Live services fact sheet – this details the required conduct for live services.
- Step 3 – Find out what type of PhonepayPlus approved recording equipment you will need. Click here to view the recording equipment requirements and a list of the approved suppliers.
- Step 4 – Register. Click here to go to the registrations menu.
- Step 5 – Apply for Prior permission. Prior permission must be sought by the service provider. If you are an information provider please ensure your service provider has a live entertainment licence from PhonepayPlus before you commence operation.
If you do not know whether you are a service provider or information provider please click here
Subscription Services
Subscription services over £4.50 in any given seven day period require prior permission from PhonepayPlus. Please note that subscription services over £4.50 on PayForIt do not require prior permission from PhonepayPlus.
Subscription services under £4.50 will not require prior permission from PhonepayPlus unless they are a voice based, text charged or international call routing service (i.e. calling cards).
Applications for prior permission cost £300 + VAT.
- Step 1– Read through the Code of Practice – this contains the rules governing the content and promotion of phone paid services.
- Step 2 – Pay particular attention to the 'Subscription services' section of the Code of Practice.
- Step 3 – If your subscription service is over £4.50 in any given seven day period read the prior permissions notice - this outlines the prior permission conditions and process.
- Step 4 – Register. Click here to go to the registrations menu.
- Step 5 – Apply for Prior permission. The prior permission application form must be signed by both the service provider and the information provider.
If you do not know whether you are a service provider or information provider please click here
Competition Services
Most competition services are subject to legal restrictions. Subsequently, PhonepayPlus recommend that service providers seek legal advice before starting a competition service.
Competition services (excluding call quiz tv, broadcast competition and gambling services) do not require prior permission from PhonepayPlus. However, prior permission will be required if the cost of the service is greater than £1.50 per minute and/or if the service is charged at more than £1 per minute and the total cost of the call can exceed £30.
It is important to note that broadcast competition services, call quiz TV services and gambling services do require prior permission from PhonepayPlus before they can commence operation.
Customer Support Services
All general customer support services (including live services) do not require prior permission from PhonepayPlus. However, prior permission will be required if the cost exceeds £1.50 per minute and/or if the service is charged at more than £1 per minute and the total cost of the call can exceed £30.
- Step 1– Read through the Code of Practice – this contains the rules governing the content and promotion of phone paid services.
- Step 2 – Register. Click here to go to the registrations menu.
- Is your service live? If so, please read the Conduct of Live Services fact sheet; this outlines the required conduct for live services.
Data Capture Services
Data capture services (including live services) do not require prior permission from PhonepayPlus. However, prior permission will be required if the service is charged at more than £1.50 per minute and/or if the service is charged at more than £1 per minute and the total cost of the call can exceed £30.
- Step 1– Read through the Code of Practice – this contains the rules governing the content and promotion of phone paid services.
- Step 2 – Register. Click here to go to the registrations menu.
- Is your service live? If so, please read the Conduct of Live Services fact sheet; this outlines the required conduct for live services.
Interactive Broadcast Services
Interactive broadcast services are phone paid services which are promoted on television (other than by commercial advertising), however transmitted, and which provide a facility for interaction or the provision of information whether in the form of votes, entries, bids or otherwise.
All interactive broadcast services require prior permission from PhonepayPlus before they can commence operation.
Applications for prior permission cost £300 + VAT.
- Step 1 – Read through the Code of Practice – this contains the rules governing the content and promotion of phone paid services.
- Step 2 – Read through the television broadcasting prior permissions notice – this outlines the required criteria for broad casting prior permission applications.
- Step 3 – Register. Click here to go to the registrations menu.
- Step 4 – Apply for Prior permission. Prior permission must be sought by the service provider. If you are an information provider please ensure your service provider has a broadcast licence from PhonepayPlus before you commence operation.
If you do not know whether you are a service provider or information provider please click here
Technical Support/ Information Services
Technical support services (including live) do not require prior permission from PhonepayPlus. However, prior permission will be required if the service is charged at more than £1.50 per minute and/or if the service is charged at more than £1 per minute and the total cost of the call can exceed £30.
- Step 1– Read through the Code of Practice – this contains the rules governing the content and promotion of phone paid services.
- Step 2 – Register. Click here to go to the registrations menu.
- Is your service live? If so, please read the Conduct of Live Services fact sheet; this outlines the required conduct for live services.
Sexual Entertainment Services
All live sexual entertainment services will require prior permission from PhonepayPlus before they can commence operation. Recorded sexual entertainment services will not require prior permission. However, prior permission will be required if the service is charged at more than £1.50 per minute and/or if the service is charged at more than £1 per minute and the total cost of the call can exceed £30.
Applications for prior permission cost £300 + VAT.
- Step 1– Read through the Code of Practice – this contains the rules governing the content and promotion of phone paid services.
- Step 2 – Pay particular attention to the 'Sexual entertainment services' section of the Code of Practice.
- Step 3 – Register. Click here to go to the registrations menu.
- Step 4 – If your service is live you will need to apply for Prior permission.
- Is your service live? If so, please read the Conduct of Live Services fact sheet; this outlines the required conduct for live services.
Professional Advice Services (i.e. legal, medical, veterinary etc)
All live professional advice services require prior permission from PhonepayPlus before they can commence operation.
However, it is important to note that recorded professional advice services do not require prior permission from PhonepayPlus unless the cost exceeds £1.50 per minute and/or the service is charged at more than £1 per minute and the total cost of the call can exceed £30.
Applications for prior permission cost £300 + VAT.
- Step 1– Read through the Code of Practice – this contains the rules governing the content and promotion of phone paid services.
- Step 2 – Pay particular attention to the 'Advice services' section of the Code of Practice.
- Step 3 – Register. Click here to go to the registrations menu.
- Step 4 – Apply for Prior permission. Prior permission must be sought by the service provider. If you are an information provider please ensure your service provider obtains a licence from PhonepayPlus before you commence operation.
- Is your service live? If so, please read the Conduct of Live Services fact sheet; this outlines the required conduct for live services.
If you do not know whether you are a service provider or information provider please click here
Counselling Services
All counselling advice services require prior permission from PhonepayPlus before they can commence operation.
Applications for prior permission cost £300 + VAT.
- Step 1– Read through the Code of Practice – this contains the rules governing the content and promotion of phone paid services.
- Step 2 – Pay particular attention to the 'Advice services' section of the Code of Practice.
- Step 3 – Read the Counselling fact sheet - this outlines the required criteria for counselling services.
- Step 4 – Register. Click here to go to the registrations menu.
- Step 5 – Apply for Prior permission. Prior permission must be sought by the service provider. If you are an information provider please ensure your service provider obtains a counselling licence from PhonepayPlus before you commence operation.
- Is your service live? If so, please read the Conduct of Live Services fact sheet; this outlines the required conduct for live services.
If you do not know whether you are a service provider or information provider please click here
Remote Gambling Services
All remote gambling services require prior permission from PhonepayPlus before they can commence operation.
Applications for prior permission cost £300 + VAT. Please provide within your prior permission application evidence of a relevant gambling licence covering the service and details of the age verification process that the service will utilise.
Applicants wishing to offer remote gambling services should note that a spend limit of £30 in any 24 hour period, will be imposed on the prior permission certificate.
- Step 1– Read through the Code of Practice – this contains the rules governing the content and promotion of phone paid services.
- Step 2 – Register. Click here to go to the registrations menu.
- Step 3 – Apply for Prior permission. Prior permission must be sought by the service provider. If you are an information provider please ensure your service provider obtains a licence from PhonepayPlus before you commence operation.
- Is your service live? If so, please read the Conduct of Live Services fact sheet; this outlines the required conduct for live services.
If you do not know whether you are a service provider or information provider please click here
Pay-per-page/image Services
All pay per page/image services require prior permission from PhonepayPus.
Applications for prior permission cost £300 + VAT.
- Step 1– Read through the Code of Practice – this contains the rules governing the content and promotion of phone paid services.
- Step 2 – Read through the pay per page/image prior permissions notice – this outlines the prior permission conditions and process.
- Step 3 – Register. Click here to go to the registrations menu.
- Step 4 – Apply for Prior permission. The prior permission application form must be signed by both the service provider and the information provider.
If you do not know whether you are a service provider or information provider please click here
Consumer Credit services
Consumer credit services require prior permission from PhonepayPlus before they can commence operation.
Applications for prior permission cost £300 + VAT.
- Step 1– Read through the Code of Practice – this contains the rules governing the content and promotion of phone paid services.
- Step 2 – Read through the Consumer Credit Services fact sheet – this defines consumer credit services and outlines the criteria for consumer credit prior permission applications.
- Step 3 – Register. Click here to go to the registrations menu.
- Step 4 – Apply for Prior permission. Prior permission must be sought by the service provider. If you are an information provider please ensure your service provider obtains a consumer credit licence from PhonepayPlus before you commence operation.
- Is your service live? If so, please read the Conduct of Live Services fact sheet; this outlines the required conduct for live services.
If you do not know whether you are a service provider or information provider please click here
Virtual Chat Services
The majority of virtual chat services do not require prior permission from Phonepayplus. However, prior permission will be required if the cost exceeds £1.50 per minute and/or the service is charged at more than £1 per minute and the total cost of the call can exceed £30.
It is important to note that voice based, text charged virtual chat services will require prior permission from PhonepayPlus. For more information please call the Industry Support and Policy team on 0845 026 1060.
- Step 1 – Read through the Code of Practice – this contains the rules governing the content and promotion of phone paid services.
- Step 2 – Pay particular attention to the 'Virtual Chat Services' section of the Code of Practice.
- Step 3 – Register. Click here to go to the registrations menu.
Children’s Services
Children for the purpose of the PhonepayPlus Code of Practice are defined as people under the age of 16 years of age.
- Step 1– Read through the Code of Practice – this contains the rules governing the content and promotion of phone paid services.
- Step 2 – Pay particular attention to the 'Childrens Services' section of the Code of Practice.
- Step 3 – Register. Click here to go to the registrations menu.
- Step 4 – Check that your service does not require Prior permission from PhonepayPlus before you commence operation.
- Is your service live? If so, please read the Conduct of Live Services fact sheet; this outlines the required conduct for live services.
Betting Tipster Services
Betting tipster services (including live) do not require prior permission from PhonepayPlus. However, prior permission will be required if the service is charged at more than £1.50 per minute and/or if the service is charged at more than £1 and the total cost of the call can exceed £30.
- Step 1– Read through the Code of Practice – this contains the rules governing the content and promotion of phone paid services.
- Step 2 – Pay particular attention to the Betting Tipster Services section of the Code of Practice.
- Step 3 – Register. Click here to go to the registrations menu.
- Is your service live? If so, please read the Conduct of Live Services fact sheet; this outlines the required conduct for live services.
Advice Services
General advice services do not require prior permission from PhonepayPlus. However, prior permission will be required if the service is charged at more than £1.50 per minute and/or if the service is charged at more than £1 and the total cost of the call can exceed £30.
It is important to note that professional advice and counselling services do require prior permission from PhonepayPlus before they can commence operation.
- Step 1– Read through the Code of Practice – this contains the rules governing the content and promotion of phone paid services.
- Step 2 – Pay particular attention to the 'Advice Services' section of the Code of Practice.
- Step 3 – Register. Click here to go to the registrations menu.
- Is your service live? If so, please read the Conduct of Live Services fact sheet; this outlines the required conduct for live services.
Directory Enquiry Services
Directory enquiry services (including live) do not require prior permission from PhonepayPlus unless the service is charged at more than £1.50 per minute and/or if the service is charged at more than £1 and the total cost of the call can exceed £30.
- Step 1– Read through the Code of Practice – this contains the rules governing the content and promotion of phone paid services.
- Step 2 – Pay particular attention to the 'Directory Enquiry Services' section of the Code of Practice.
- Step 3 – Register. Click here to go to the registrations menu.
- Is your service live? If so, please read the Conduct of Live Services fact sheet; this outlines the required conduct for live services.
Pay for Product Services
Pay for product services (including live) do not require prior permission from PhonepayPlus unless the service is charged at more than £1.50 per minute and/or the service is charged at more than £1 per minute and the total cost of the call can exceed £30.
- Step 1– Read through the Code of Practice – this contains the rules governing the content and promotion of phone paid services.
- Step 2 – Pay particular attention to the 'Pay-for-product Services' section of the Code of Practice.
- Step 3 – Register. Click here to go to the registrations menu.
- Is your service live? If so, please read the Conduct of Live Services fact sheet; this outlines the required conduct for live services.
International Call Routing services (i.e. Calling cards)
International call routing services will require prior permission from PhonepayPlus before they can commence operation.
Applications for prior permission cost £300 + VAT.
- Step 1– Read through the Code of Practice – this contains the rules governing the content and promotion of phone paid services.
- Step 2 – Register. Click here to go to the registrations menu.
- Step 3 – Apply for Prior permission. Prior permission must be sought by the service provider. If you are an information provider please ensure your service provider obtains a licence from PhonepayPlus before you commence operation.
If you do not know whether you are a service provider or information provider please click here
Contact & Dating Services
Recorded chat and dating services do not require prior permission from PhonepayPlus unless the service is charged at more than £1.50 per minute and/or the service is charged at more than £1 per minute and the total cost of the call can exceed £30.
It is important to note that live and voice based, text charged chat and dating services require prior permission from PhonepayPlus before they can commence operation.
- Step 1– Read through the Code of Practice – this contains the rules governing the content and promotion of phone paid services.
- Step 2 – Pay particular attention to the 'Contact and Dating Services' section of the Code of Practice.
- Step 3 – Read the Contact & Dating noice to the industry – this clearly outlines PhonepayPlus’ exepctions with regards to providers offering chat and dating services.
- Step 4 – Register. Click here to go to the registrations menu.
- Step 5 – If your service is live you will need to apply for Prior permission.
- Is your service live? If so, please read the Conduct of Live Services fact sheet; this outlines the required conduct for live services.
Fundraising & Charitable Promotion services
Anonymous SMS Services
Anonymous SMS services require prior permission from PhonepayPlus before they can commence operation.
Applications for prior permission cost £300 + VAT.
- Step 1– Read through the Code of Practice – this contains the rules governing the content and promotion of phone paid services.
- Step 2 – Read the notice on Anonymous SMS Services
- Step 3 – Register. Click here to go to the registrations menu.
- Step 4 – Apply for Prior permission. Prior permission must be sought by the service provider. If you are an information provider please ensure your service provider obtains a licence from PhonepayPlus before you commence operation.
Lastly, if you do not know whether you are a service provider or information provider please click here
Other
Are you thinking of launching a service that has not been identified? Contact the Industry Support and Policy Team on 0845 026 1060 for guidance.