Commenting on today’s announcement from Ofcom that consumers will be able to exit their landline, broadband or mobile contract without penalty if their provider hikes bills, Ernest Doku, telecoms expert at Uswitch.com, says: “This announcement is great news. Signing up to a contract, only to get told mid-way through that prices are going up – and by the way there’s nothing you can do about it – is a proverbial kick in the teeth. Therefore we welcome this move, which will allow broadband and mobile customers to walk away from hiked up bills.
“Hopefully it will make providers think twice about increasing prices – they won’t want to lose customers two months into a 24 month contract. But even if this move doesn’t stop prices going up, at least consumers will be able to vote with their feet and say no to higher bills by moving to a new deal.
“Considering that most mobile contracts are two years long, two annual increases could tip bill payers over the edge and, until now, there’s been no way out. Consumers have just had to suck it up, and pay more. To make matters worse, many are often unaware that bills could go up – a fixed term contract doesn’t mean fixed prices.
“However, while this is undoubtedly a major win for telecoms customers the big worry is that networks and providers will start raising prices to compensate. There could also be repercussions for mobile customers who got a handset with their deal – will they have to return it, or buy it outright, or we will see the end of free devices?
“Ultimately though, this is good news for consumers who are tired of having to put up with higher bills, without a way out. And with the changes set to come into effect in just three months, consumers will soon enjoy greater protection from rocketing telecoms bills. Ofcom has shown that it can act in the best interest of consumers, and we welcome the steps it has taken today.”
Katherine Moss
Phone: 020 3021 5893
Email: katherine.moss@uswitch.com
Twitter: @uswitchPR
It’s all about “U”!
Thank you for indulging us over the last 20 years by using a small ‘u’ and a big ‘S’ when writing about our brand in your articles.
We are delighted to let you know that you are now off the hook - it’s big U’s all the way (and small s’s) as we undertake our biggest ever rebrand - so let your autocorrect go wild!
Uswitch is the UK’s top comparison website for home services switching. Launched in September 2000, we help consumers save money on their gas, electricity, broadband, mobile, TV, and financial services products and get more of what matters to them. Last year we saved consumers over £373 million on their energy bills alone.
Uswitch is part of RVU, a new business that also owns Money.co.uk and Bankrate.
If you would no longer like to receive our press releases please email prteam@uswitch.com with 'unsubscribe'.