People who see an ad urging them to dial a number that begins with 803 should know that they will hook up with a strictly adult-oriented service, be it sexual, chats or forums for expression of opinion.

The prefix 806 has been earmarked for so-called leisure and entertainment, such as hobbies, games, riddles, horoscopes and others of esoteric content (generally fortune-telling). In each case, the recommended age for using the line should be spelled out.

The number 807 is set aside for professional and business services. In other words, the only people who can use it for commercial purposes are those certified in their field. Government agencies and charitable institutions can also use the 807 prefix.

The main goal of this new numbering system is to protect consumers. On one hand, Web users will no longer be able to access this kind of number -much more expensive than normal rates- from their computers because the prefixes provide only voice services. In other words, the billing is only done through the telephone and not when using�computers. In this way, Web users will not be defrauded any more with this kind of service. A clear example of a rip-off happened in certain Web pages that offered free access to its content for any user. But to get it you had to download a program, which generally changed the telephone dialing number so people ended up accessing the Internet through a 906 number and paying for it.�

Furthermore, under this new law the companies that provide special-rate services must say for free how much each minute of calling cost. And the billing clock starts ticking only after this pricing information has been provided.

How much does it cost?
Another new feature is that there is a 30-minute limit for calls to 803, 806 and 809 numbers. This is designed to avoid unwanted charges.

Also, consumers can get a rough idea of how much a call will cost by noticing the first digit that comes after the prefix. The cheapest are�zero and�one (0.35 euros a minute from a fixed-line phone and 0.65 euros from a cell phone), followed by�two and�three (up to 0.75 euros from a fixed-line and 1.05 euros from a mobile). Then come�four and five, (up to one euro from a fixed line and 1.3 from a mobile), and progressively with�six and�seven (up to 1.65 and 1.95 euros). When the fourth digit is an eight, the service can cost up to 3.15 euros from a landline and 3.45 when calling from a mobile. The most expensive of all is the nine,�with prices of up to 3.15 and 3.45 euros.

In addition to these special fees per minute, there is the cost of simply making the call and�the cost�in�minutes of the whole call. Both are billed by the telephone service provider.

Where do you file complaints?
Consumers unhappy with a bill can turn to the General Directorate for Telecommunications or the Consumer Arbitration System. Both have jurisdiction in this kind of dispute.

And unlike before, customers who refuse to pay an 803, 806 or 809 bill will not have their telephone service suspended. From now on, the dispute must be settled directly with the service provider or in court.