CAMPAIGNERS have condemned a price rise on mobile phone contracts worth an estimated £52 million from telecommunications giant EE.
• EE price rise condemned by consumer campaigners
• 3.3 per cent hike criticised as users will potentially see prices go up mid-contract
Everything Everywhere announced the 3.3 per cent rise on Orange and T-Mobile contracts to take place on April 10 and May 9 respectively.
Consumer watchdog Which? said it was a natural assumption by customers that a “fixed term” contract also meant fixed prices.
Which? executive director Richard Lloyd said: “It is outrageous that Everything Everywhere is forcing T-Mobile and Orange customers to collectively pay almost £52 million more per year for mobile phone contracts they thought were fixed.”
But EE insisted that contracts subject to the rise for 3G customers was never fixed price. They added that they were now introducing fixed-price contracts.
A spokeswoman for Ofcom said: “Ofcom is aware of the pricing changes announced by EE. While current rules allow for contracts to include price increases in certain circumstances, Ofcom is consulting on how to better protect consumers from price rises during fixed contracts.
Ofcom is currently running a consultation on mid-contract price rises and expects to reach a decision in June.