Premium rate services in the UK
Both entertainment and information services are available as premium rate services, whether through the phone, computer or interactive television.
Services include television voting (e.g. for Big Brother), phone-in competitions, directory enquiries, betting information and chat lines, as well as charitable donations. Typically the cost of the call is split among the content providers and the telephone company.
ISCTIS
In the UK, premium rate services are regulated by ICSTIS, the Independent Committee for the Supervision of Standards of the Telephone Information Services. They provide useful information about:
ICSTIS also provide a page to check a premium rate number on your bill, and offer a range of publications about premium rate services.
Ofcom
Ofcom, the regulator for the UK communications industries, provide a useful overview of premium rate services and the role of ICSTIS.
BT
BT offer information on premium rate call barring.
Premium Rate Association
There's a professional body for the premium rate industry -- this is the Premium Rate Association.
Other premium rate information
Search the BBC website for articles on premium rate lines.
Read articles on Wikipedia about:
There's also a factsheet on premium rate number services from the Telecoms Advice website.