The UK government says it’s worked with telecoms companies to reduce the risk of consumers receiving unexpectedly high bills if their phone is stolen.
Culture Secretary Maria Miller has announced a new agreement with EE, Three, Virgin Media and Vodafone to cap bills on a mobile phone that has been reported lost or stolen. This will be implemented early next year. O2 isn’t mentioned in the announcement.
BT, Sky and Talk Talk have also agreed - along with the four mobile networks - that customers will be able to end a contract without penalty if they’re presented with potential price rises within the minimum term. It’s a move that echoes Ofcom’s recent guidance.
Jo Swinson MP, Minister for Employment Relations and Consumer Affairs, said “The last thing you need after the hassle of a stolen mobile is to find that someone has used it and landed you with a sky high bill too. Phone companies have listened to government and to their customers and I welcome their agreement to protect them from unexpected costs and mid-contract price rises.”
The government has also re-stated its aim to eliminate European roaming charges by 2016.
[Formal agreement (pdf)]