We'd like to remind Forumites to please avoid political debate on the Forum. This is to keep it a safe and useful space for MoneySaving discussions. Threads that are - or become - political in nature may be removed in line with the Forum’s rules. Thank you for your understanding.

KCOM charges

I have been a KCOM customer for at least 30 years, mainly because it is the only provider in the Hull and East Riding Area. I have a Full Fibre package 400mb package paying £59.99 per month which includes a land line I never use. KCOM are now offering new customers only a Full Fibre 500 mbps for £29.99 per month. This is unfair and there's no way I can switch on their website but have to contact them by phone where I am currently in a 40 minute queue. Is what they're doing unfair or illegal like when insurance companies gave preferencial rates to new customers. Any advice would be appreciated

Comments

  • la531983
    la531983 Posts: 2,542 Forumite
    1,000 Posts First Anniversary Name Dropper
    40 minutes isnt terrible, just put the phone on speaker, crack on with work, and go back to it when they answer and ask them first?
  • ader42
    ader42 Posts: 323 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 100 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    You might just have to wait until your contract with KCom ends and can then sign up to a new contract which is likely to be cheaper for a better product.
    Unless they allow you to “upgrade” which I suspect they might.
  • littleboo
    littleboo Posts: 1,664 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    Have you considered alternatives such as 4G/5G if you have coverage?
  • ader42 said:
    You might just have to wait until your contract with KCom ends and can then sign up to a new contract which is likely to be cheaper for a better product.
    Unless they allow you to “upgrade” which I suspect they might.
    I am no longer in contract. They have said if I cancel my current broadband package I have to give 30 days notice but can't enter into another contract with them for 3 months. However,  the account is in my husband's name so I assume that this rule would no longer apply if someone else in the household requests a contract
  • ader42 said:
    You might just have to wait until your contract with KCom ends and can then sign up to a new contract which is likely to be cheaper for a better product.
    Unless they allow you to “upgrade” which I suspect they might.
    I am no longer in contract. They have said if I cancel my current broadband package I have to give 30 days notice but can't enter into another contract with them for 3 months. However,  the account is in my husband's name so I assume that this rule would no longer apply if someone else in the household requests a contract
    I guess they or their systems are clever enough to see what you are up to unless you have a different surname and bank account, but its worth a try.
    Never under estimate the power of stupid people in large numbers
  • sparky0138
    sparky0138 Posts: 554 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 100 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    edited 24 November 2024 am30 9:46AM
    I have been a KCOM customer for at least 30 years, mainly because it is the only provider in the Hull and East Riding Area. I have a Full Fibre package 400mb package paying £59.99 per month which includes a land line I never use. KCOM are now offering new customers only a Full Fibre 500 mbps for £29.99 per month. This is unfair and there's no way I can switch on their website but have to contact them by phone where I am currently in a 40 minute queue. Is what they're doing unfair or illegal like when insurance companies gave preferencial rates to new customers. Any advice would be appreciated
    I know this thread's a year old but I thought I'd share what they told me when I asked why they couldn't offer existing customers the same deal as new customers...

    We have what’s classed as Significant Market Power in the Hull and East Yorkshire area which just means we are the largest provider. Like all other telecoms providers we are subject to Ofcom regulations.

    Our offers for existing customers are heavily regulated as if we were to be too cheap then this can be classed as trying to reduce competition within the area. 

    We are always pleased to see more competition locally as it means that we are consistently challenged to provide the best possible services to our local people.

    We know how frustrating this is to see and how it can feel like we value new customers more than our long standing customers but we want to assure you this isn’t the case and we hope that you will continue to give us the privilege of providing your services.
  • iniltous
    iniltous Posts: 3,491 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    edited 24 November 2024 am30 10:58AM
    Although that’s true , it’s also not the whole truth , it’s true they couldn’t offer a killer deal to retain customers ( and damage competitors that would be the natural recipient of a migration ) but offering the same price as what new customers can get isn’t anti competitive and the regulator has no issue with that…..however , the regulator entire ‘raison d’etre’ is to get customers off the incumbent and onto alternatives , until the incumbent no longer has significant market power….so although the regulator undoubtedly give a leg up to the competitors , it stops short of demanding that renewal prices can’t be the same as the price offered to brand new customers 

    The same can’t be said for competitors, who are already in a financial black hole , can offer incentives like paying ETC or giving a years ‘free’ broadband when they are already in debt, and the price on offer doesn’t even cover day to day expenses let alone paying down the debt pile….as a consumer though , you may say ‘ I don’t care , if it’s good for me , I don’t care if the don’t have a long term future, they are playing with Monopoly money , I’ll simply move else where if they go bust’, the company with SMP has to prove that their prices are financially sound 
  • I actually contacted my local MP who contacted KCOM. They contacted me to offer a 24 month deal with a £20 per month reduction. Hopefully when the 2 years is up I will go through the same again or other providers become available. They constantly claim that they are willing to share the infrastructure but I don't see this happening as there are some new providers in the area who are having to put up poles
Meet your Ambassadors

🚀 Getting Started

Hi new member!

Our Getting Started Guide will help you get the most out of the Forum

Categories

  • All Categories
  • 348.3K Banking & Borrowing
  • 252.1K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
  • 452.4K Spending & Discounts
  • 240.9K Work, Benefits & Business
  • 617.1K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
  • 175.6K Life & Family
  • 254.1K Travel & Transport
  • 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
  • 16K Discuss & Feedback
  • 15.1K Coronavirus Support Boards

Is this how you want to be seen?

We see you are using a default avatar. It takes only a few seconds to pick a picture.