Martin Lewis slams O2 for ‘mockery’ of Ofcom guidelines

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Your assist makes all of the distinction. Learn extra Cash professional Martin Lewis has slammed O2 for saying sudden worth hikes which can have an effect on as much as 15.6 million clients subsequent yr.

The cell supplier will likely be rising month-to-month funds by £2.50 for all clients in April, a 40 per cent improve from the £1.80 that had been indicated on contracts.

Telecoms regulator Ofcom introduced in new guidelines in January designed to discourage shock mid-contract worth hikes like these.

Telephone suppliers now should inform clients precisely how a lot their billing will rise over the period of the contract, or let clients finish their contracts if a larger improve in introduced. Sky confirmed it might select the latter possibility for its broadband offers on the time, with O2 now showing to take an identical stance.

Whereas the cell supplier has not contravened the foundations – as it's permitting clients to depart – Mr Lewis has reacted furiously, saying the choice makes a “mockery” of the brand new tips.

<img src="https://static.independent.co.uk/2025/10/07/10/01/Martin-Lewis-shares-six-digit-code-you-need-if-your-phone-gets-stolen.jpeg" srcset="https://static.independent.co.uk/2025/10/07/10/01/Martin-Lewis-shares-six-digit-code-you-need-if-your-phone-gets-stolen.jpeg?quality=75&width=320&crop=3%3A2%2Csmart&trim=0%2C56%2C0%2C55&auto=webp 320w, https://static.independent.co.uk/2025/10/07/10/01/Martin-Lewis-shares-six-digit-code-you-need-if-your-phone-gets-stolen.jpeg?quality=75&width=640&crop=3%3A2%2Csmart&trim=0%2C56%2C0%2C55&auto=webp 640w" loading="lazy" alt="Money expert Martin Lewis has slammed O2 for announcing unexpected price hikes" class="sc-1mc30lb-0 ggpMaE"/> Cash professional Martin Lewis has slammed O2 for saying sudden worth hikes (This Morning/ITV) “It is completely ridiculous”, he informed ITV’s Good Morning Britain. “O2 must be hanging its head in disgrace, and I say most of its clients must be on the market now, as a result of you possibly can depart penalty-free as soon as you have been notified of this, checking if you may get a less expensive deal elsewhere.”

He later added: “The fear is now O2 has opened the door to this behaviour different cell companies will really feel much less fearful about following swimsuit. It is an excellent remorse that when Ofcom consulted on these adjustments it did not take heed to the proposal I and others made to easily ban above-inflation, mid-contract worth rises (or any mid-contract rises).”

Ofcom has mentioned it's “disillusioned” by O2’s choice, which “goes in opposition to the spirit” of the foundations.

“Immediately, we’ve written to the main cell corporations reminding them of their obligations to deal with clients pretty.” It mentioned in an announcement. “We encourage any buyer who desires to keep away from these worth rises to train their proper to exit with out penalty and signal as much as a brand new deal”.

The regulator advises customers do not forget that their cell supplier should give them 30 days’ discover of any worth improve past what was agreed within the contract, and should be allowed to exit their contract penalty free on this case.

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It will allow them to buy round for a brand new contract with any supplier, with Ofcom advising utilizing comparability websites to make sure the perfect deal could be discovered.

An O2 spokesperson mentioned: “As acknowledged by Ofcom in its letter to suppliers, its guidelines don't forestall corporations from rising annual worth adjustments – for instance, to put money into enhancing networks. The adjustments we have now introduced by no means breach any regulatory guidelines.

“We admire that worth adjustments are by no means welcome, however demand for cell connectivity is larger than ever, and any worth change clients see on their payments is significantly outweighed by the £700m we make investments every year into our cell community to fulfill this rising demand. We've got written on to clients about this modification, and they can exit with out penalty if they want.”