Price Abuse

Keith Mallen made this Freedom of Information request to Office of Communications This request has been closed to new correspondence. Contact us if you think it should be reopened.

The request was successful.

Dear Sir or Madam,

I have recently visited the 'old bloke' across the road and noticed his telephone bill from BT for the rich price of something like £65 for three months.

As I understand things line rental is something like £12 a month for a total of £36.

There is no way at all that my 'old bloke' across the road blows off £10 a month on telephone calls and BT should know as much.

I'll leave you to work it out but in the mean time.

FOI request

Given telephone companies are in a position to monitor usage what are you doing to ensure that they offer their customers the most appropriate deal and not otherwise take the piss.

Ay?

Yours not really expecting very much.

Keith Mallen

OCCtelecoms, Office of Communications

Ofcom reference: 1-125604157

28 August 2009

Dear Mr Mallen

Thank you for contacting Ofcom about your neighbour's telephone service.

In August 2006, we decided that, in view of competition, all phone
providers should be free to set their own retail charges. However, we also
ensured that important safeguards remained in place for vulnerable groups.
BT provides a discounted service for low-income users called BT Basic.

Each communications provider, rather than Ofcom, is in a position to
justify its charges to its customers. All communications providers are
required to publish a full price list for all types of calls. Therefore
consumers are able to make an informed choice relating to their needs,
when choosing a provider.

There is competition in the UK telecoms market. Consumers therefore have
the ability to choose a package that is suitable for their needs. We are
not able to force companies to constantly monitor their customers' usage.
If a consumer thinks they are paying too much for a service they have the
option to change it.

Consumers have access to independent services to help them choose suitable
telecoms packages. Simplify Digital offers a free and impartial comparison
service which has been accredited by Ofcom. Simplify Digital can be
contacted on 0800 1377 377 and its website is [1]www.simplifydigital.co.uk

I hope this information is helpful to you. Please be assured that we have
registered your complaint.

Yours sincerely

:: John Ingham

Telecoms Team

Ofcom Consumer Services

[2][email address]

:: Ofcom

Riverside House

2a Southwark Bridge Road

London SE1 9HA

020 7981 3000

www.ofcom.org.uk

This email is sent as routine correspondence from Ofcom Consumer Services.
It has not been treated as a response to a request for information under
the Freedom of Information Act 2000. If you think it should, please let us
know.

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References

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1. http://www.simplifydigital.co.uk/
2. mailto:[email address]

Dear Mr Ingham

Thank you for your considered response and the information provided. I apologise for my Grrr moment.

There is no need to respond to this suggestion and I understand from your message that you are unable to request such a thing but perhaps your office might consider it.

Whilst tariffs/plans are available and publicised people in general and 'old folks' in particular may not be aware of the options available to them.

Since BT creates and sends the bill for a particular three month period they already have the information available to them at that time to determine whether the customer is on the correct tariff/plan and might include a note on the bill itself to suggest the customer considers changing.

As I say, just a suggestion.

Thanks Again

Yours sincerely,

Keith Mallen