Metering and billing

The Ofcom Metering and Billing Systems Approval Scheme (the "Scheme") aims to enhance end-user confidence in the accuracy of charges from Communications Providers, by the testing and certification of the systems and processes involved in creating those charges and generating bills and prepay debits. Some Communications Providers are required to enter the Scheme under the General Conditions of Entitlement and others have voluntarily chosen to obtain approval as a demonstration of best practice.

This area contains information about the Scheme, documentation, and advice for Communications Providers and links to the Approval Bodies. It also identifies those companies, which have achieved or are working towards Approval.

The revised Scheme technical requirements are described in the Ofcom 2008 Metering and Billing Direction (15th July 2008) (the "Ofcom Direction"). This was published as Annex 3 to an Ofcom Statement. The previous Oftel Direction dated 22nd July 2003 is reproduced as Annex 4 to the same Statement, to cover the changeover period which extends to the end of 2010.

Ofcom contacts for the Scheme are:

• Policy Issues: Stephen Green
  Tel: 020 7981 3761, Email: Stephen.green@ofcom.org.uk