The European Commission (EC) announced 2 telecom workshops set fo...
The European Commission (EC) announced 2 telecom workshops set for June 8. The first, on premium rate services (PRS), will involve a study by Cullen International and WIK Consult. The 2nd workshop will feature input from key players on…
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access to universal international and national freephone services. German competitive telcos view PRS as a key way to help consumers reach customer service, govt., TV stations and the like, said Axel Spies, a Washington lawyer for the German Competitive Carriers Assn. In 2004, revenue from such services was 7% of all fixed-line communications, and the “innovative power” of the market sector safeguards many jobs, he said. In Germany, Spies said, entire industry sectors such as banks and insurance companies have had to review their internal procedures to keep pace with customer demands. Interactive quizzes, votes via SMS and viewer surveys are very popular, he said. In addition, freephone and shared-cost services have led to better customer service and lower costs. But consumers must trust such services, Spies said. “Abuses must be prosecuted vigorously, but over-regulation of this market sector should also be prevented.” In the U.K., burgeoning “rogue Internet dialing” scams last year prompted the Office of Communications (Ofcom) to consider the need for better regulation of PRS.