[3] The PSA was founded in 1986 as the Independent Committee for the supervision of Standards of Telephone Information Services[4] (ICSTIS) at the request of three network operators (British Telecom, Mercury Communications, and Vodafone) as a response to public criticism of their profiting from premium-rate adult content.

Among other things, it required clear and accurate pricing information, honest advertising and service content, and appropriate and targeted promotions.

The PSA regulated a subset of services using the following number ranges: 087, 090, 091, 098 and 118, plus five-, six-, and seven-digit mobile voice and text shortcodes beginning with a 6, 7 or 8.

[17] The PSA Code of Practice was replaced by Ofcom's Regulation of Premium Rate Services Order 2024 [18] on 1 February 2025, using the powers granted by Section 122 of the Communications Act 2003.

[19] The consultation document states that it was the PSA board that had suggested to Ofcom that they take back direct control of these functions.