Mobile and broadband firms face huge shake-up as Government set to investigate rip-off deals
MPs' will look into tariffs and deals which are thought to overcharge customers by up to £100-a-year
BRITAIN’s mobile phone and broadband giants face a radical shake-up under Government plans to “protect” millions from rip-off contracts, the Sun can reveal.
Senior Tories said proposals to make sure markets are “functioning properly for consumers” will go far beyond the Big Six Energy suppliers.
And a Green Paper set to be tabled in the Commons next Spring will zero in on giants such as BT, EE and Vodafone.
One Tory told the Sun: “One can safely assume we’ll be looking at them. We believe there is far more they could be doing for their customers.”
Business Secretary Greg Clark is expected to lead the review.
RELATED STORIES
The move follows growing outrage at broadband speeds falling far below advertised levels and top of the range smartphones failing to get a 4G signal.
A study earlier this year revealed Brits only able to connect to a high speed 4G signal 53 per cent of the time – below countries such as Kazakhstan, Pakistan and Bolivia.
Experts told the Sun yesterday that Ministers want to look “bundling” – given fears customers are paying as much as £100 more than they should be a year by entering into contracts that combine the cost of a handset and a monthly tariff.
One campaigner last night said: “I think the country’s crying out for a dramatic improvement in service – both in easier switching and clearer pricing.”
Earlier this week Ofcom chief Sharon White said BT and other broadband giants were now viewed as worse than banks.
And she told MPs that they must deliver a more reliable internet connection.
She said BT had not invested enough in keeping its network up to date and was “out of kilter” with public expectations.
She said: “There is not a strong enough focus on delivering a great service, telecommunications companies are below the banks.”
Last month a report found an “unacceptable” level of signal coverage – there were at least 525 areas that suffer from poor network coverage or none at all.