New rules for anyone with a broadband or mobile phone contract have been introduced this week. Ofcom has just introduced new rules for broadband and mobile price rises in a move to protect customers up and down the country.
Consumer expert Martyn James explained: “Ofcom has banned inflation-linked mid-contract price rises from 17 January 2025. However, that doesn’t mean all price rises are banned. The regulator has said that we will all be told in “pounds and pence” about future price rises.
“That means your new contract will have to spell out what any mid-contract price rise will be when you sign up.” Mr James said: “n many cases you can’t get out of your contract without paying a hefty exit fee. However, a few broadband providers have contracts that give you the option of bailing on the contract before the rise is applied without exit fees.
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“So when you get your notification about price rises, check to see if this is an option.” Mr James encouraged those who have mobile and broadband contracts to “haggle” to get a better deal, and urged: “Pop your contract end date in to your diary – but a month before it happens.
“That’s the best time to call your broadband or mobile phone provider and tell them that you are prepared to leave to get a better deal. It helps if you get a few quotes from other service providers to bolster your claims.”
“Don’t forget that you can make a complaint about most mobile phone or broadband problems to the Ombudsman. The largest of the services is the Communications Ombudsman or CISAS,” he added. Ofcom said: “As we have seen in recent years, inflation can be incredibly volatile and is difficult to predict.
“Our rules will protect consumers from bearing that risk, and ensure providers are clear about prices customers are obliged to pay over the whole contract period.”