This article explains what premium TXT services are and how you can sign up to them and how to cancel them.

What is a Premium TXT service

Premium TXT services are mobile content or information services that can be accessed by TXT or PXT or via data GPRS/WAP services. They allow consumers to vote on TV shows, enter competitions, receive information updates and buy content such as ringtones, music or videos, and hundreds of other services.

Premium TXT services are generally run using short codes. Short codes are 3, 4 or 5-digit numbers are used as the address to send the TXT message. Some Premium TXT services also use 10 digit numbers like a phone number.

Premium TXT services are provided by third parties who have arrangements in place with us to provide the services to you and where appropriate for these charges to appear on your account.

These services are created by content suppliers and delivered over our mobile network. They are called Premium TXT services because you buy them using your mobile phone, receive the content on your mobile phone and you will be charged a premium cost for the message.

Who provides these Premium TXT services?

A number of different suppliers may be involved in providing you with a Premium TXT or short code service.

A content provider creates the content for the service either "in-house" or may obtain some content from other content providers. Content providers then advertise this content to customers via TV, Internet and/or print publications etc.  

A third-party aggregator (we refers to these as Managed Partners) aggregates the service of the content provider along with those provided by various other content providers.  The aggregator then contracts directly with mobile carriers to enable the Premium TXT service to be billed and delivered to all customers across all mobile carrier networks. These third parties have arrangements in place with us to provide Premium TXT services to our customers and where appropriate for these charges to appear on your account.

While these services are not run by us, There are a number of specific rules that relate to the provision of Premium TXT Services aimed at ensuring that customers are fully informed about the price and content of the services. These rules are outlined in the TCF Mobile Premium Messaging Services.

A list of Premium TXT suppliers, costs and their codes (PDF)

How do I stop receiving Premium TXTs?

We do not have the ability to cancel these services for you.

Premium TXT services that you have subscribed to with a third party that you would like to cancel will need to be actioned by them. You may do this via the following methods:

• Send the word STOP to the short code that you are receiving the TXTs from.  You will be unsubscribed from the service and will receive a free TXT message confirming this.  
• Contact the third party directly to cancel your TXT message subscription. For help with finding your subscription provider, check the list linked to above. There is also a contact number for the provider if you need help with stopping the service