Uswitch comments on Ofcom’s Fairness for Customers commitments

Following Ofcom’s publication of its Fairness for Customers commitments, Richard Neudegg, head of regulation at Uswitch.com, says: “The requirement to treat customers fairly has not been baked into the telecoms rules as it has been for years in other sectors such as financial services and energy. It is therefore welcome news that Ofcom has managed to convince providers to sign up to this principle – although somewhat disappointing to do it on a voluntary basis rather than adding it to directly and firmly into industry regulations.

“These commitments could be helpful in balancing telecoms more in favour of the customer, many of whom have faced unnecessary hurdles and frustrations when trying to sort out their services. However, this will not be a quick fix. The regulator’s programme of customer engagement reforms needs to continue beyond the introduction of text-to-switch next month and end-of-contract notifications next year, so we look forward to the detail of the upcoming handset reforms later this summer.

“If you find that your telecoms provider isn’t adhering to these voluntary guidelines, let them know you aren’t happy and don’t forget you can take your complaint to the relevant ombudsman if they don’t put things right. Should you remain unhappy then vote with your feet and switch away to a new provider that better matches your needs.”

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Rory Stoves

Phone: 020 3872 5613

Email: rory.stoves@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'.