Frequently Asked Questions
| Do we have to be VAT registered to sign up for Premium Rate Service? - Charles Nicholas No you do not need to be VAT registered to set up a premium rate telphone service. |
| Is it possible to route your cals to skype or voip telephone numbers? - Arun Yes premium rate numbers can be pointed at skype and voip phone numbers in the same way as they would be directed at a normal phone number. |
| I want to know if it is possible to have an overseas premium rate line - Sharon
Unfortunately UK premium rate numbers can only be accessed by people from within the UK. If you want to to obtain a service where callers access your calls from other countries - then you would need to obtain a premium rate number for each country - eg. A french premium rate number for french callers - a spanish premium rate number for spanish callers etc etc. Unfortunately there are no premium rate telephone services which allow access from international destinations. |
| Are there are specific rules governing the targeting of teenagers (under 18)? - Charles Nicholas Yes there are very strict rules concerning premium rate services aimed at children. For the latest regulations please visit http://www.phonepayplus.org.uk/ |
| I am interested to start a Premium Rate Phone Line. I am starting a company in Cyprus but the customers I want to serve are based in the UK. Is this possible? - Emily Yes you can set up a live 090 information service for your UK based customers - even if you are based outside the UK. The only requirement is to be able to provide details about yourself / your company for the regulators http://www.phonepayplus.org.uk/ - even if it is an non UK based company |
| I am looking to set up a technical support number, I will require the calls to be diverted to a mobile number during the day, and a land line at all other times. I will be looking for an income of around 70PPM, what do you suggest? - Neil Smith
The best solution is to set a £1/min 090 number, this way you shall receive 70p in revenue. The 090 calls will be routed to your landline number, but when you go out - you simply divert calls from your landline phone to your mobile (this way you are in complete control and you will never lose a call). |
| Can I promote a live 121 chat service by passing out leaflets & pens in hotels, betting shops, supermarkets, pubs?
can i pass out mints and leaflets in dentists, tanning shops? - Peter, Croydon The regulators do not allow this kind of promotion for live 121 chat services - as the images for these services might offend members of the public - you must keep advertising of live 121 chat services in paid newspapers or magazines or internet websites. |
| Can I call UK premium rate numbers from Ireland? - Patrick OConnor Not from Ireland only calls originating from Northern Ireland can access UK premium rate numbers. |
| When i have a 090 number how would my self employed status work? - M Newman You would be paid your 090 revenue without any tax deductions - you would be responsible for your own declarations of tax. |
| Once i have set up a competition service and then awarded the prize, can I use the same 090 number for a new competition service - David M Yes this is fine - you can use the same 090 number to run many different competitions - with each new competition starting after the old one has finished. |
| I wish to set up a live psychic service for my UK customers, but I am based in Spain - can the calls be routed through to me in Spain? - Daisy Mitchell Yes, but there will be a charge of a few pence to cover the extra charge of routing your calls to your landline phone in Spain. |
| I am creating a website and wish to include a message capture premium rate number in the website. Is it allowed? Thanks S.Arayn Yes it is possible to set up a message capture number on your website. For full details please visit Message Capture Service |
| I want to set up a premium rate service for a game people can play with a real person on the phone (no computers) what sort of service do i need? - Mr Johnson Technically this is very simple to do and would be classified as a live service. However, as it is a live service you will first need to obtain approval for this service from the regulators Phonepayplus to confirm they are happy that it complies with their latest live and gambling regulations. |
| What powers do the regulators have? If you breach the code of practise your service may be shut down and/or a fine levied. So it is vital you always make sure your service complies with the latest code which can be seen at http://www.phonepayplus.org.uk/ |
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