Orange change call charges for calling abroad

papichan

I've read that if a network provider changes the terms of call charges as in the clause: 4.3 You may also terminate your Contract if we vary its terms, resulting in an excessive increase in the Charges or changes that alter your rights under this Contract to your detriment. The changes mean an increase of more than 50%. Do I therefore have a legal right to cancel.?
Cheers..

NFH

papichan wrote: »

I've read that if a network provider changes the terms of call charges as in the clause: 4.3 You may also terminate your Contract if we vary its terms, resulting in an excessive increase in the Charges or changes that alter your rights under this Contract to your detriment. The changes mean an increase of more than 50%. Do I therefore have a legal right to cancel.?
Cheers..

No, you didn't read the rest. Under 4.3, it also says "However this option does not apply if: 4.3.3 the variation relates solely to an Orange Additional Service, in which case you may cancel that Orange Additional Service in accordance with Condition 15.1." and "Orange Additional Service" is defined as "optional Services (including but not limited to Roaming, International Calling, Premium Rate Services, and Content provided by Orange) which may cost extra whether they are supplied in conjunction with Service Plans or outside Service Plans".

You're at liberty to use another provider for outgoing calls anyway. Changing the subject a little, I question whether incoming roaming calls could be included in this exclusion clause, as you have no other choice but to use Orange, and if Orange tried to enforce any substantial increase without releasing the customer from the contract, it could fall foul of the Unfair Terms in Consumer Contracts Regulations 1999.

papichan

Ok, what does it mean I am at liberty to use another provider? Do you mean another phone? Also the website says: From 1st March we're making some changes to the charges for calling from the UK to countries abroad. Think I'll call em and see exactly what it covers..
Cheers

Mic2904

I would be interested to find out as well.

papichan

Called them and they claimed that it only applied if I was at bhome in the U.K. and I made a call abroad and the amendments would not effect if, say, someone called me from the U.K. if I was abroad. Know it is an addiitional service but it is a bit rich hiking up 50% after I've agreed a price. Oh, well, they've covered themselvs in the 4.3.3 clause.
Cheers.

corgi74

NFH wrote: »

No, you didn't read the rest. Under 4.3, it also says "However this option does not apply if: 4.3.3 the variation relates solely to an Orange Additional Service, in which case you may cancel that Orange Additional Service in accordance with Condition 15.1." and "Orange Additional Service" is defined as "optional Services (including but not limited to Roaming, International Calling, Premium Rate Services, and Content provided by Orange) which may cost extra whether they are supplied in conjunction with Service Plans or outside Service Plans".

You're at liberty to use another provider for outgoing calls anyway. Changing the subject a little, I question whether incoming roaming calls could be included in this exclusion clause, as you have no other choice but to use Orange, and if Orange tried to enforce any substantial increase without releasing the customer from the contract, it could fall foul of the Unfair Terms in Consumer Contracts Regulations 1999.

I don't think this is quite right. An additional service is something in addition to your core contract. Therefore if you pay extra for the optional international calling addition in conjunction with your contract then it is correct and you can cancel the additional service but as this is part of your standard contract then you have no choice but to accept.

I called them earlier and the staff were very very rude and very very ignorant. Was told that I should try Skype and that as it's not detrimental to me it's tough.
I said that every penny I pay more than what I agreed is detrimental but I don't think he could understand.
He also said they had rasied their prices as everybody else had. I told him this was price fixing and illegal but I don't think he understood that either.
I said to him to imagine he had a contract with Sky for TV at £25 a month and then found out he would be charged extra for watching E4 would he be happy to be told by Sky that he doesn't have to watch E4 and as he only watches 1 programme a week on it then it's not a big issue.
I'm waiting to hear back from them but if I don't get any joy I'm going to contact the MD Tom Alexander.

Mind you what do you expect from a company that prohibits the use of YouTube and Skype in it's T&Cs!!!

drbesty

Sky mess about with their TV packages all the time, the channel Nigeria Movies used to be free, now they want £6 a month for it, I phoned up Sky saying this was detrimental to me if I should ever want to watch any Nigerian Movies, but I don't think he could understand

I'd give Tom a ring personally if I were you, I'm sure he'll sort it

corgi74

drbesty wrote: »

Sky mess about with their TV packages all the time, the channel Nigeria Movies used to be free, now they want £6 a month for it, I phoned up Sky saying this was detrimental to me if I should ever want to watch any Nigerian Movies, but I don't think he could understand

I'd give Tom a ring personally if I were you, I'm sure he'll sort it

Well worth £6 a month!
Difference is I do make calls abroad. In laws !!!!!! of to Spain for 2 month each summer and we dog sit.
Apparently though as I hadn't called abroad between November and February I didn't need to know about the increase.
Could you look in to it when you get in to work at orange on Monday?