Three intros mid-contract price rises, despite promising the opposite
Three has angered consumers by appearing to break a promise related to price rises.
The mobile operator last year offered assurances that it would not increase prices mid-contract, despite Ofcom giving networks the go-ahead to do this, as long as this was clearly stated in their terms.
However, it has now emerged that anyone to have signed a contract with Three after 29 May will be subject to an annual price rise in line with inflation.
According to ISPreview, Three is telling consumers that the price of their contracts will be increased each May from 2016 onwards.
“If you take out a new contract or upgrade on or after 29 May 2015, you’ll see the monthly cost of your contract increase annually in line with the RPI,” Three reportedly told one of its customers.
“If you’re taking out a new contract or upgrading, these new Ts&Cs will be made clear to you when you enter into your new contract. While the new Ts&Cs are being introduced this year, the first RPI increase will be in May 2016 and you’ll see it from your May bill onwards.”
Meanwhile, back in January the company stated, “Your fixed monthly recurring fee from Three will not go up in the minimum term of your contract. We support Ofcom’s approach to fixing the price for pay monthly contracts for their duration.
“We think it’s only fair that customers should have clarity around costs when they sign up to a contract.”
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Ofcom introduced its new regulations to help minimise the impact of mid-contract price rises on customers.
Three’s move is guaranteed to prove unpopular, and it will be interesting to see if the company is punished for its u-turn. We’ll update you with more details as they emerge.