Free cookie consent management tool by TermsFeed Actualizare preferințe cookie-uri
Press Releases

Cod de conduită pentru furnizarea serviciilor cu valoare adăugată prin telefon

20.08.2014

 
The Romanian Authority for Management and Regulation in Communications (ANCOM) adopted the Code of Conduct on the use of internal national short numbers and SMS/MMS short codes used for games, contests and other services offered by means of mobile telephones. This Code applies to the providers of public electronic communications networks and the providers of Premium Rate services and stipulates, among others, additional user protection measures, in order to prevent abuse or fraud associated to accessing Premium Rate services.
Calling and sending SMS to a short number consisting of 3-5 digits or answering an SMS received from such a number triggers the users’ request for or subscription to content services for which they generally incur additional charges. These numbers are assigned by the providers on their own networks, the value-added services being usually provided by third parties that use the respective network for ensuring the users’ access to specific content and for charging the corresponding tariff. Calls and SMS by which the users request technical support, special images and ringtones for their mobile telephone, information, payment of certain services and products, horoscope, contests and games or downloadable applications are not deductible from the minutes or SMS included in subscriptions/extra-options, being, most often, charged by a higher tariff than the one charged for an on-net call/SMS. Moreover, in some instances, the users may subscribe to such services by sending just one SMS to a short number, being subsequently charged on a regular basis.  
This Code of Conduct was elaborated by ANCOM in collaboration and in consultation with the telecom industry and it lays down the information that the telephony providers must make available to the users regarding the characteristics and the tariffs applicable for the services offered by means of internal national short numbers, so that the users could be fully aware of the relevant details in order to avoid unwanted charges.
For example, the users must receive clear information on the applicable tariff and call or SMS/MMS charging method each time they are prompted the short number or code for a Premium Rate service, as well as at the moment of initiating the service. Where services are provided by means of recurrent SMS/MMS, the users must be informed on the fact that they are to undergo subsequent charging without taking further steps, as well as on the unsubscribing mechanism. Details regarding the consumption of Premium Rate services offered by means of short numbers and codes will be detectable also in the itemised bills issued by the providers.
The Authority adopted the Code of Conduct by Decision no. 1131/2014 regarding the adoption of the Code of Conduct on the use of internal national short numbers and SMS/MMS short codes following public consultation. The provisions of this Code are mandatory for all the providers of public electronic communications networks that use or assign internal national short numbers or SMS/MMS short codes. The Decision will be sent for publication in the Romanian Official Journal and will enter into force within 3 days since the date of publication, excepting the provisions that involve a longer implementation period, such as those regarding the users’ information. These will enter into force within 12 months from the publication date, as the current contracts between the telecom operators and the providers of Premium Rate services need to be amended.