Thursday July 17, 12:16 PM
Plans Promise Mobile Phone Peace
By Sky News
Mobile phone users plagued by unsolicited services and intrusive text messages may be granted respite under a new crackdown. Operators will be forced to introduce clearer pricing for premium rate mobile phone content, regulator PhonePayPlus said.
In addition, they will not be allowed to sign consumers up to subscription services without their express approval.
Under a separate rule to be enforced from today, any such service that customers are prevented from stopping quickly and easily will be immediately shut down.
The proposals were announced amid news that the EU is pursuing 39 British websites selling ringtones to children over suspected abuses of consumer protection laws.
PhonePayPlus was prompted to take measures by a 108% increase in complaints over the last year compared to the year before.
It laid out other proposals to ensure consumers are given clearer information about offers and receive fewer promotional text messages.
In 2007 the regulator found 33 mobile services had breached regulations and fined them more than £360,000.
It had already imposed fines of more than £390,000 in the first six months of this year.
The mobile premium content market grew to more than £460m in 2007/08.
PhonePayPlus said 38% of UK consumers buy ringtones, pictures and games or participate in television programmes and competitions.
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