BT updates price hike policy ahead of new regulations

BT is overhauling its policy on mid-contract price hikes ahead of strict new regulations being imposed by the UK's communications regulator Ofcom. The company said it will stop linking price rises to inflation and instead specify clearly in monetary terms what increases customers can expect. 

The move comes after Ofcom found last year that the way telecoms companies raise prices lacks transparency and can be confusing for consumers. Under BT's current model, tariffs are adjusted...

17 January 2024 | 5G

Ofcom plans to improve mid-contract price rise transparency

UK telecoms regulator Ofcom has announced plans to improve transparency around mid-contract prices.

The regulatory body has expressed concerns about the prevalent practice of mid-contract price rises – often linked to unpredictable inflation – adopted by major phone, broadband, and pay TV companies. In response, Ofcom is suggesting tougher protections for consumers by considering a ban on this practice.

Confusing price rise terms

Ofcom argues that unclear terms...

12 December 2023 | 5G

Ofcom launches review into mid-contract price rises

Ofcom has launched a review into whether mid-contract price rises by telcos give customers sufficient certainty about their finances.

The cost-of-living crisis has made budgeting more important than ever as households feel the squeeze and many get pushed into financial difficulties.

In the UK, telcos are free to include a clause in their agreements that allow for inflation-linked price rises mid-contract. Some providers guarantee not to increase their prices mid-contract...

9 February 2023 | 5G

BT staff pencil in further strikes over ‘insulting’ pay deal

The Communications Workers Union (CWU) is organising further BT and Openreach strikes over the coming months.

Around 40,000 Openreach engineers and BT call centre staff undertook strike action last month over “weak, insulting” below-inflation pay rises.

“Workers will not accept a massive deterioration in their living standards,” said Dave Ward, General Secretary of the CWU, last month.

“The serious disruption this strike may cause is entirely down to...

15 August 2022 | Broadband

BT staff begin strike action over below-inflation pay rises

BT staff have begun strike action across the country in a row over below-inflation pay rises.

UK RPI inflation has reached 11.7 percent and is set to increase further later in the year. Many employers have offered pay rises to help ensure their staff aren’t left substantially worse off at the end of each month.

BT, for its part, offered its staff a £1,500 pay increase to help with the cost of living crisis. However, it’s been called a “weak, insulting” pay deal...

29 July 2022 | Broadband

BT staff to strike after ‘weak, insulting’ pay deal

BT employees will go on strike following a “weak, insulting” pay deal that fails to counter the impact of high inflation.

Earlier this year, BT offered a £1,500 pay increase for employees. With RPI inflation levels hitting 11.7 percent, it’s been labelled a “dramatic real-terms pay cut”.

The Communication Workers Union (CWU) – a union for all BT Group employees – voted by 95.8 percent to take strike action. Call centre workers will join 30,000 Openreach...

4 July 2022 | Operators

UK Government asks ISPs to promote social tariffs amid cost of living crisis

The UK Government is asking the country’s ISPs to promote social tariffs amid the cost of living crisis.

Low-cost social tariffs are offered to households receiving certain benefits to help close the “digital divide” and ensure that everyone has access to the work and social opportunities that connectivity brings.

However, data from British telecoms regulator Ofcom suggests that under two percent of eligible people are taking up social tariffs—meaning they’re...

4 April 2022 | Broadband

Telecoms union pressures BT for inflation-countering pay rises

Britain’s largest telecoms union is rejecting BT’s flat pay rise offer of £1200, which would leave employees worse off this year.

UK inflation is rising at its fastest rate for 30 years as fuel, energy, food, and other costs increase. The Bank of England expects inflation to reach around eight percent over spring and “it could go even higher later this year”.

Many employers are increasing employees’ salaries more than originally planned to help with the...

30 March 2022 | Broadband