What are 0900, 0901 and 0906 numbers?
With such numbers, owners of numbers may offer a service which is paid for by the caller by means of a supplementary charge to the normal call charge. This supplement is charged to the calling user on his telephone bill by his telecommunication services provider and the supplement is paid in part or in its entirety to the owner of the number according to contractual arrangements. These services may be provided by voice calls, fax or data transmission.
The following service categories are specified:
0900 |
Business, Marketing |
0901 |
Entertainment (horoscopes, "chat-rooms", etc.), games, responses (competitions, surveys, etc.) |
0906 |
Adult entertainment |
Who actually operates 0900, 0901 and 0906 numbers and what are the applicable conditions of use?
Since 1 September 2001 OFCOM has been allocating these numbers individually to legal or natural persons wishing to use them for the specified services. Allocation of the numbers is associated with the imposition of the following conditions of use on the owner of the number:
1 |
The code 0900, 0901 or 0906 must be indicated in all written and verbal communications, clearly separated from the remaining part of the number. |
2 |
The allocated number is provided exclusively for services in the corresponding category. Any type of service from other categories is not permitted. |
3 |
The owner of the number is obliged to take account of the provisions of the Ordinance on Publication of Prices (Verordnung über die Bekanntgabe von Preisen - PBV). In any written or verbal notification of the number, the rate which the calling user has to pay must be indicated clearly and without ambiguity, in Swiss Francs inclusive of VAT, per minute or per call. |
4 |
The use of 090x numbers in the context of so-called PC dialler or webdialler applications is not permitted. Such or similar programs for establishing internet dial-up connections for billing online services, goods or internet programmes may not be used with one or more 090x numbers of the Swiss numbering plan. |
In addition, the following conditions apply to 0906 numbers:
5 |
The owner of 0906 numbers is obliged not to provide services which fall under the provisions of the criminal code (SR 311.0), and in particular articles 135, 197, 259 and 261bis via the allocated numbers. |
6 |
The owner of 0906 numbers must ensure that access is not provided for persons under 16 years of age to services with pornographic content, in accordance with article 197 of the criminal code. |
The provisions of the Ordinance on the Indication of Prices (Verordnung über die Bekanntgabe von Preisen (PBV)) require that for calls to 090x numbers which cost more than CHF 2 per minute or per call must be accompanied by a free of charge message indicating the costs. When the cost exceeds CHF 5 per minute or CHF 10 per call, the caller must in addition confirm the connection using a special signal. Further information is available at:
http://www.seco.admin.ch/themen/spezial/wettbewerb/preisbekanntgabe/index.html?lang=de (only in German, French or Italian).
What are the maximum possible charges for 0900, 0901 and 0906 numbers?
Providers of value-added service numbers are in principle free to set their prices as they wish. However, they must observe the legal price limits, which are set as follows:
CHF 100 for basic or fixed charges;
CHF 10 per minute;
CHF 400 for all the charges relating to a connection (basic charge, fixed charges and timerelated charges).
Who is actually behind an 0900, 0901 and 0906 number?
The name and address of a holder of a number (0800, 084x, 090x) can be requested on the following website:
What is OFCOM doing about misuse of 0900, 0901 and 0906 numbers?
Allocated 0900, 0901 or 0906 numbers are withdrawn by OFCOM if:
- A competent authority establishes a violation of federal law;
- The provisions of the Ordinance on Addressing Resources in the Telecommunications Sector, OFCOM's conditions or the conditions of allocation have been infringed.
If a subscriber feels their rights have been intringed, they may reports this to the police.
