Code of Practice for NTS and PRS Calls

1. Bulldog - Background

In September 2006 Bulldog’s services and the Bulldog brand became part of the Pipex Communications Group, one of the UK’s leading providers of integrated telecommunications and internet solutions. The Broadband and Voice Division of Pipex Group were acquired by Tiscali U.K. Holdings in July 2007.

Although Bulldog has changed ownership, the current business remains unaffected and continues its focus on the provision of quality broadband and residential telephone services.

The legal relationship is between you and Pipex Internet Limited.

Pipex Internet Limited is a company registered in England (Company No. 5306519)

2. Purpose of this Code of Practice

Bulldog c/o Pipex Internet is required to publish a Code of Practice for the publication of prices of calls to Number Translation Services (NTS) and Premium Rate Services (PRS) together with information as to how we help our domestic and small business customers with complaints or enquiries about NTS and PRS.

3. What are NTS Calls?

Number Translation Services (NTS) are types of non-geographic numbers where the number dialled does not relate to a specific geographic location, but instead relates to a particular service or organisation. This allows the organisations using these numbers to change physical location without having to change their telephone number and to have a national presence. Some NTS numbers also enable organisations to share the revenues generated by the telephone calls made to the numbers. They mostly start with 08 or 09. They also include calls to a limited quantity of numbers commencing 0500, although no new 0500 numbers are being issued for use. Calls to numbers starting with 0844 04 and 0808 99 for certain dial-up internet services are not included. Calls to NTS numbers range from free (to 0800, 0500 and 0808 numbers) up to a maximum of 10 pence per minute or per call. Types of services include information services, some technical helplines, access to telephone banking, sales and Customer Care lines and some dial-up internet services.

4. What are PRS Calls?

PRS Calls are calls to numbers identified as Special Service numbers, starting with 09, including Adult Entertainment Services on 0908, 0909 and 098. Calls to PRS vary in cost, typically between 10 pence per minute or per call up to £3.00 per minute or per call. Directory enquiry services on 118xxx are also defined as premium rate services.

PRS offer some form of content, product or service. Services include TV voting lines, competitions, scratchcards, adult entertainment, chat lines, business information services, technical helplines, horoscopes or donations to charity.

The bulk of the money from the charge for the call to a PRS goes ultimately to the Service Provider responsible for the content, product or service obtained. The rest of the money is shared between the telephone network companies, including Pipex Internet, who carry the call to the Service Provider.

5. Our Commitment regarding NTS Calls

Bulldog is responsible for the retail billing of NTS Calls to the end-user will publish the usage charges on our website and in published price lists.

Bulldog shall give prominence to the following:

i) any usage charges that apply for calls to freephone numbers including details of when those charges will apply;

ii) usage charges for NTS Calls which include variations by time of day. For example, "08xx calls are charged at x pence per minute or per call during weekday evenings inclusive of value added tax";

iii) whether or not any special offers, discount schemes or call bundling arrangements apply to NTS Calls, including details of which of those arrangements apply to which number range;

iv) in our advertising and promotional material which refers to call pricing, alongside maximum prices applying to NTS Calls, we will publish a clear reference as to the location of a complete set of NTS Call charges on our websites and published price lists;

v) When a new customer signs up for the provider’s service, we will provide, alongside maximum prices applying to NTS Calls in the relevant correspondence, a clear reference as to where on our websites and published price lists the complete set of NTS Call charges can be found.

6. Our Commitment regarding PRS Calls

We will provide the information and advice to our customers about the role of Bulldog in relation to general PRS enquiries and requests for number checks via the number-checker facilities provided by the Independent Committee for the Supervision of Telephone Information Services ("ICSTIS") on the ICSTIS website (www.icstis.org.uk);

We will provide:

i) information about the role and remit of ICSTIS in dealing with complaints and how to go about making a formal complaint to ICSTIS via the website, helpline or by in writing;

ii) information about the tariffs that apply for calls to any PRS number range;

iii) basic information about how PRS services work with a basic explanation of how revenue sharing operates;

iv) information about how consumers can bar access from their telephone to all or specific PRS number ranges for reasons of cost or content;

v) information about the purpose of the Telephone Preference Service ("TPS") and Fax Preference Service ("FPS") and how to go about registering with such services;

vi) information about how internet diallers operate and how consumers can identify and take action, such as improving their computer’s security, to avoid further instances of these or similar scams;

vii) information on the role of the Telecoms Ombudsman schemes in resolving disputes concerning PRS calls;

viii) information on other options available to consumers for seeking refunds in cases of abuse or scams involving PRS calls;

ix) contact details of individual SPs or the TCPs which host them where available - typically via "ICSTIS" website at www.icstis.org.uk;

x) SPs customer service contact details where consumers can obtain further information about services provided on the PRS numbers found on their bills.

7. Customer Information and Advice

Bulldog publishes its charges for all calls including those to NTS and PRS numbers on its website. We can also provide you with written details of our call charges on request.

If you have a query about calls to NTS and PRS numbers on your itemised Bulldog Internet bill, please contact Customer Care. Our call plans include calls to all UK numbers starting with 01 or 02. Calls to NTS and PRS numbers are excluded from our call bundles. Bulldog does not charge for calls to 0800, 0500 and 0808 numbers.

ICSTIS is the UK industry-funded regulatory body for all premium rate charged telecommunications services, regulating services in their entirety - content, promotion and overall operation - through a Code of Practice, available on their website. Their prime role is to prevent consumer harm. Among other things, they require, clear and accurate pricing information, honest advertising and service content, appropriate and targeted promotions. They investigate complaints, and have the power to fine companies and bar access to services if the Code is breached.

If you have a query about a PRS number on your call itemisation, ICSTIS has a number-checker facility on its website at http://www.icstis.org.uk/consumers/ncd/default.asp If the number is not in the database, then ICSTIS would be able to find out information for you if you call them on 0800 500212. This is also the telephone number to contact if you have a complaint about: the promotion, content or overall operation of premium rate services. If you wish to write to ICSTIS with your complaint, for example enclosing a copy of an advertisement, then address your letter to:

ICSTIS, FREEPOST WC5468, London, SE1 2BR.

If you believe you have been incorrectly charged for calls to PRS, first of all contact our Customer Care Team. We shall do our best to help you with your query. If you believe we have been unable to resolve the query to your satisfaction, please tell us. We will do all we can to resolve the matter quickly and satisfactorily.

If you feel your complaint has not been resolved and you remain dissatisfied, then please refer to our Complaints Code of Practice.

8. Approval and Review of Codes

All Codes, including this NTS and PRS Code of Practice, are reviewed by the Senior Management team of Pipex Internet on a regular basis in accordance with Ofcom requirements.

The reviews attempt to identify areas where the Codes can be improved with regards to: clarity, accuracy, presentation and ease of use.

CCOM/COM/021/1/1006