Uswitch comments on Ofcom’s review of landline-only services to protect the elderly and vulnerable
Commenting on Ofcom’s review of the retail market for standalone landline telephone services, Richard Neudegg, Head of Regulation at Uswitch.com, says: Landlines are a lifeline, but for those who don’t want broadband – often the most vulnerable – the prospect of ever-increasing line rental charges still looms.
“The ASA’s reforms to require all-in costs for landline and broadband services should help matters by putting more competitive pressure on the providers. They now have greater incentive to compete on line rental as well as broadband pricing to make their combined costs appear more attractive.
“Reviewing landline-only pricing with its competition hat on will be seen as a bold move by Ofcom, but it’s a necessary one to ensure the most vulnerable are getting a fair deal.
“In addition to Ofcom’s review of line rental pricing, we would like to see the regulator take a close look at whether BT Basic is fit for purpose for vulnerable, elderly and low-income households.
“Ofcom currently requires BT to provide BT Basic – the telecoms equivalent of the Warm Home Discount for energy – as a condition of its historic monopoly. However, customers would only have to use their landlines for 148 minutes a month for a standard landline tariff to be more affordable than BT Basic.”
Find out how you could save over £1,000 a year with Uswitch here.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Jason Wakeford
Phone: 0203 872 5612
Email: jason.wakeford@uswitch.com
Twitter: @UswitchPR
About us
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!
About Uswitch
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'.