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Three resists watchdog's call for 'fairer' mobile phone fees Three resists watchdog's call for 'fairer' mobile phone fees
(32 minutes later)
The UK's telecom regulator has said Three is the only major UK mobile network to have "refused" to automatically cut its customers' monthly charge at the end of their contract's lock-in period.The UK's telecom regulator has said Three is the only major UK mobile network to have "refused" to automatically cut its customers' monthly charge at the end of their contract's lock-in period.
As a result, Ofcom said, the firm's subscribers would "overpay" unless they took action to change to another deal.As a result, Ofcom said, the firm's subscribers would "overpay" unless they took action to change to another deal.
The watchdog said it had challenged the industry to treat users more fairly.The watchdog said it had challenged the industry to treat users more fairly.
But Three has said that customers were often happy to stay on the same deal.But Three has said that customers were often happy to stay on the same deal.
"Many consumers are happy with the service that they are paying for and may choose to take no action, particularly if the consumer feels that there is not an equivalent, better value, service that meets their needs," it said in a consultation filing."Many consumers are happy with the service that they are paying for and may choose to take no action, particularly if the consumer feels that there is not an equivalent, better value, service that meets their needs," it said in a consultation filing.
"Moving consumers to a default tariff, on an opt-out basis, may drive consumer dissatisfaction and complaints.""Moving consumers to a default tariff, on an opt-out basis, may drive consumer dissatisfaction and complaints."
By contrast, Ofcom said that the other major mobile companies had given it the following commitments regarding out-of-contract customers:By contrast, Ofcom said that the other major mobile companies had given it the following commitments regarding out-of-contract customers:
In all cases, changes to monthly bills will only be made if they result in a lower charge. This addresses a concern that some customers might actually face higher fees by being switched to a Sim-only deal.In all cases, changes to monthly bills will only be made if they result in a lower charge. This addresses a concern that some customers might actually face higher fees by being switched to a Sim-only deal.
The pledges are set to come into effect by February 2020.The pledges are set to come into effect by February 2020.
The regulator said it hoped the moves would help address a situation in which the industry was overcharging the public by a total of about £182.The regulator said it hoped the moves would help address a situation in which the industry was overcharging the public by a total of about £182.
According to Ofcom's estimates, 1.4 million out-of-contract mobile phone users are currently spending an average of nearly £11 more per month than they would if they had been switched to a comparable Sim-only deal.According to Ofcom's estimates, 1.4 million out-of-contract mobile phone users are currently spending an average of nearly £11 more per month than they would if they had been switched to a comparable Sim-only deal.
This situation had arisen, it explained, because initial deals typically covered both the cost of a handset and its usage.This situation had arisen, it explained, because initial deals typically covered both the cost of a handset and its usage.
"We're introducing a range of measures to increase fairness for mobile customers, while ensuring we don't leave existing customers worse off," said Ofcom's consumer group director, Lindsey Fussell, in a statement."We're introducing a range of measures to increase fairness for mobile customers, while ensuring we don't leave existing customers worse off," said Ofcom's consumer group director, Lindsey Fussell, in a statement.
"All the major mobile companies - except Three - will also be reducing bills for millions of customers who are past their initial contract period.""All the major mobile companies - except Three - will also be reducing bills for millions of customers who are past their initial contract period."
The announcement follows an earlier decision to force mobile phone operators - among others - to text, email or send a letter to alert subscribers when their contracts are about to expire and to inform them of alternative deals.
In addition, Ofcom has said it plans to make companies tell customers what it would cost to buy a phone and its airtime separately, to help them judge whether a bundle truly offers better value.
It has also proposed a new rule that would prevent firms offering split contracts - in which fees for the phone and airtime are separated - where the handset element lasts longer than 24 months.