A good understanding of markets, consumer views and preferences, and emerging technologies and products is key to ensuring regulation is well targeted and proportionate. As an organisation we are committed to an agenda of pre-empting and preventing problems wherever possible and dealing effectively through protective action when this is necessary. 

That is why in the second half of 2007 PhonepayPlus commissioned Fathom Partners to undertake a comprehensive analysis of the current size and breakdown of the phone-paid services market. We wanted to better understand the characteristics of the industry that provides phone-paid services, understand how consumers interact with these services and look at emerging trends in the market.

Fathom interviewed industry members, analysed research data from a variety of sources and carried out an extensive survey of UK consumers.

The findings presented here give us the most comprehensive picture to date on how much different market sectors are worth and how consumers are using services. It highlights the potential for wider use of phone-payment but also the consumer frustrations and fears and commercial considerations that have to be addressed if this form of micro-payment is to continue to evolve. 

Through industry interviews and an online survey, we gained useful feedback on and several areas where regulators and industry alike could improve consumer protection and the consumer experience. 

Collectively, the various strands of this report will allow PhonepayPlus to bettertarget resources in a more focused manner, delivering better protection for consumers and value for money to the industry. The research is also an essential evidence base which will inform businesses and consumer bodies about a growing sector of the UK communications market.

Click here to view the research

Clicke here to view the accompanying press release