Telecoms 'Charter' to prevent price hikes on price hikes revealed

MSE_Ruby · 11 February at 5:27PM

A 'Telecoms Consumer Charter' that aims to better protect consumers from misleading price rises has been revealed. It comes after Martin Lewis, founder of MoneySavingExpert.com, prompted the Government to investigate the sector's problems by writing to the Chancellor over O2's recent price hike on a price hike.

Read the full story:

https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/news/2026/02/telecoms-consumer-charter-martin-lewis/

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WBJB · 17 February at 10:54PM

I just had to renew my Broadband Contract with Plusnet (owned by BT). To get a decent price I have to renew for 2 more years. But in just over a month, on 31st March, the price will increase by £4/month. That's 17% or about 5 times the rate of inflation. Then there will be a further £4 increase a year later. There was a campaign by Consumers Association and others to ban inflation linked rises, but these have just been replaced by even larger rises. I spent a long while looking for someone who didn't make such a massive increase, but in the end I stuck with Plusnet as they have been reliable and some of the cheaper alternatives are not highly rated.
Nowhere else when I buy services do I have to agree to massive increases mid-contract. I think this is unfair, and as everyone does it it really amounts to collusion and an uncompetitive practice. It should be banned - come on government - do something about it.

zathrasB5 · 17 February at 11:57PM

I want to see something else addressed with the Charter. Broadband should be treated as an essential service like water and electricity. But if I move house I do not have to pay for those services at my old address anymore. Why do I have to pay for a service I can no longer use just because its broadband? I think someone should take on the big companies by holding you to fulfil a contract when you no longer even live at that address as an "unfair contract". I would love to know how much money the companies are making out of having to do absolutely nothing just because due to unforeseen circumstances you are forced to move.

forgotmyname · 18 February at 3:03AM

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81889093#Comment_81889093

Recently had a great off for 900MB Fibre from Plusnet which would be cheaper than I currently pay for 500MB, then you get the
smallprint as you said with £4 increase in March so only 1 month cheap then I will be paying more.

I thought wait for offers after March and see if they are as tempting.

Juniperz1 · 19 February at 10:59AM

I have 6 SIM Only lines with EE, well out of contract, have been getting CPI+ increases until now. 4 cost about £7.40, the other 2 are £14.80 with higher data limits. They just increased by £2.50 each line, meaning about 34% for the four, 17% for the two, 25% average.

When I raised a complaint, quoting those numbers to an agent, they said 'it's not a percentage increase, it's pounds & pence. I tried to explain mathematics to them, but they were either hard of thinking, or their script was very tight. At one point they said "this is what you signed up for". Now I am never abusive to call centre staff, but that is the closest I have ever been - I last recontracted in about 2020, easily pre-dating OFCOM's stupid move to pounds & pence, I most certainly did not sign up for a 25% increase in 2026.

How did we get here? If a company offers a 24 month contract, they know what they are signing up to and should just honour it - where did mid-contract increases come from? (rhetorical)

southsidergs · 19 February at 1:53PM

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81890970#Comment_81890970

They're gving you the option to leave with the change so if that annoyed just do it. No idea why your on about in contract increases as you're out of contract going by dates too

Juniperz1 · 19 February at 5:45PM

Obviously I can leave, it's the principal.

My comment about in contract changes is generally, not specific to my current situation. It would be pertinent to my next contract, whether EE or not, if they have in contract increases.

kendizle · 20 February at 3:46PM

Just got the email saying my Virgin Media broadband is increasing by £3.50. At only currently £25 per month, that's a 14% price increase. Really feel shafted. How is it a contract agreement if they can change the terms half way through. I cant decide that I suddenly want to pay 14% less in April.

We are really at the mercy of these companies and have zero say as consumers. Let's get this changed so that a contact and its terms cant be revised midway through.

saajan_12 · 20 February at 5:46PM

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81891482#Comment_81891482

The principle (not pricinpal) of companies deciding what to charge on rolling contracts is fine by me.. its effectively a new agreement to stay each month, you don't have a right to a fixed price (or inflationary or whatever) for ever.

The issue is

When you agreed to a fixed term contract with a cheap headline price but they hide the actual price for the latter months in the small print with large increases. Eg instead of charging £30 + £5 increase half way through, just charge £32.5 for the whole fixed term. They can forecast and build in inflation the same way customers can.
When you agree to a fixed term and they increase by a higher % than in the small print, but then graciously allow you to cancel. There you had a right to stability for the whole fixed term which you no longer get.

Juniperz1 · 20 February at 7:20PM

It's actually made me look at MVNOs, plenty over better value, some with 24 month contract that are just that - fixed for 24 months.

Try this prompt in ChatGPT:

UK mobile SIM only monthly contracts - give me a summary table showing which operators and MVNOs have said they they do NOT have mid contract increases. Include columns for who the underlying operator is for MVNOs, contract period, whether EU roaming is included for free and whether the Wifi Calling feature is included. Include a column for the monthly cost of their cheapest contract that includes at least 30gb of data per month (or unlimited)