10.5m UK mobile customers affected by networks’ secret contract fee increases

In some of the more disturbing news to emerge from the mobile industry in recent times, an investigation by Which? has found that the UK’s mobile network providers have been lining their pockets with contract fee increases that customers aren’t made aware of.

In the investigation, Which? found that 70% of the UK’s mobile customers weren’t aware that there was a clause in their contract which allows networks to raise its price while customers are still in it. As such, Which? have filed a complaint to Ofcom and also launched a campaign, Fixed Means Fixed, which calls for networks to keep contract prices as they were when the customer signed up for them.

Richard Lloyd, the executive director of Which?, said: “These hidden price rises mean millions of people are forced to pay more than they expected at a time when household budgets are already squeezed.

“They are then trapped in a contract, unable to switch to a cheaper provider without paying a hefty penalty.

“Ofcom must intervene now and stamp this out. Consumers must be confident that fixed really does mean fixed.”

The culprit companies singled out for this practice include Three, Vodafone, T-Mobile and Orange, making O2 the only one of the big providers who’s in the clear.

These actions by the networks have so far affected around 10.5 million UK mobile costumers, so there’s a definite chance you can be affected. If you wish to help put an end to this, then you can pledge your support for the ‘Fixed Means Fixed’ campaign here.