Effective Communications Regulation in an Era of Convergence

This paper explores recent problems with Premium Rate Number Service (PRS) use in UK participation TV through a regulatory convergence analytical lens. In 2003, the UK government created the communications convergence regulator, Ofcom, yet PRS regulation continued to remain the responsibility of PhonepayPlus (PPP), originally established in 1986. The paper argues that Ofcom could have anticipated the TV phoneins problem or at least reacted to adverse developments more quickly. PPP was unable to achieve this because of its regulatory culture and narrower focus. The consequences of the PRS saga have been significant. Damage to the reputation of the PRS business and commercial broadcasters has occurred. Citizen trust in public service broadcasting has been eroded. Regulatory remedies provided by Ofcom and PPP are likely to minimise future system abuses. However, that all PRS-in-TV regulatory activity has not been completely subsumed into Ofcom’s operational structure remains an operational anomaly. Seamus Simpson is Principal Lecturer at the Department of Information and Communications, Manchester Metropolitan University. His research interests lie in European and global communication policy and regulation. He is author of two books: Globalisation, Convergence and European Telecommunications Regulation (2005, Edward Elgar) (with Peter Humphreys, University of Manchester) and The New Electronic Marketplace: European Governance Strategies in a Globalising Economy (2007, Edward Elgar) (with George Christou, University of Warwick).