They will as soon as Big Brother, or whatever other show that requires you to vote starts.
Else they'll just use their mobiles they use for texting to make that call - it'll be more than 60p/75p then.

There already exists the chance to bar them all - I think BT does this by default when you get a new line. How hard would it be to then ensure that the billpayer has to dial a PIN number or something enable premium rate access on a call by call basis?

I'm quite grown-up to manage premium rate number access myself, and (Heaven forfend!) accept responsibility for my own actions.

I'm with BT for phone & internet. But if all phone operators .. ntl, bt, tesco home, talk talk etc... ban the 090** numbers then emap's selection channels and other music selection channels with 090 as their selection no. will have to either:

1) Change the number
--or--
2) Just use text for £1.50


I also agree with Charnham

This is pleasing news.I would love to give them presenters a piece of justice.But because my idea is a hook jammed into a fingernail.I doubt they will stay in one place very long.Anyway,this is a step in the right direction.

I'm in too minds about this. On paper it looks a good idea, although 50 pounds is a bit steep as a first payment against your bill. It could certainly cause problems for quiz channels and shopping channels which can't be a bad thing really, especially if it stops people running up huge bills because the call charges aren't clear or they just haven't read them.

On the other hand, it's another example of the nanny state ideology that seems to be pervading every aspect of our lives at the moment. Surely as an adult, you can make up your own mind what numbers to ring, what to buy, whether something is good or bad for you?.

Maybe a better option would be tighter regulation of premium rate numbers and the pin code idea another poster mentioned.

Would it be cynical of me to think that by charging Bulldog customers £50 up-front payment for using premium rate services, is just a ploy to improve their cash flow?

I mean, if they want to deny premium calls - fine, allow them for customers who just specifically request them

If they want to restrict premium calls to say £50 in any charging period - fine, introduce that into the terms & allow the customer to settle up any time after the calls have been made.

If they want to restrict excessive call charges mounting - fine, again intoduce a credit limit that must be settled before additional calls can be made.

But why charge up-front, if it's not for cash flow reasons?

I think its a good idea from Bulldog. Being with BT myself, I've had premium rate lines barred for a few years now. It's just a pity BT changed from including 118 directory enquiry numbers as premium rate, although 'premium' is defined as 'above the usual or nominal price' in my Oxford dictionary. My son sneaked a 118 call in one weekend recently whilst I was away, but he won't do it again as I stopped the money from his spends.

Does their premium rate ban also include 0870 numbers as well, as they are premium rate numbers?

By the way - now that ITV have launched ITV Play, which presumably will be honest and above board for people who are mugs enough to call, won't this on its own spell the end for these quiz channels who are obviously one big con, as people move from them to ITV?

I thought the official Ofcom definition of premium rate only included numbers beginning 09?

Yes, in theory 09 numbers are meant to cost above national rates and 08 numbers are meant to cost no more than national rates. That why so many people consider 0870 to be such a scam.

John