Thanks Jack,

That's basically what all of us have been trying to get across to the OP. That clause satisfies the Ofcom requirement and clears TT.

It also in this case negates my post that you replied to. Mine basically covers the case that TT did not offer the 30-day penalty-free exit.

From what the OP says, I am sure he did receive the same email, and somehow converted it in his mind to "I agreed the contract; yes, I did - but only because TT broke my existing contract by drastically increasing the monthly price I'd agreed with them and insisting that I take up their new 'offer' in February 2021".

I don't see any forcing there, and it's hard to see how any subsequent telephone conversation at the time with the help line could have done so either.

Having said that, it was also a bit of a hard decision for them, as most migrations at that point would have meant signing up for a similar contract. Though there are a few monthly ones around.

Half way through that paragraph I thought of checking if there hade been anything about this at the time, and it turns out there has been. Though with slightly different "facts". No mention of fixed price for the term, though we can assume the email he received was identical to yours.

I also note the "February" in this thread conflicts with that other opening post, dated 11 March, where we have "Today they emailed me to tell me the monthly price is rising by 10%.

I note the OP did not respond to any replies, with any further information.

A person who in court would possibly be classified as "not a reliable witness".

In reply to a post by Airlane:

... And how many residential broadband customers read every clause of the contracts we blithely sign?

Most of the ones here I think would check the "early termination" charges, as they vary a lot between providers and none of really know how our circumstances could change on a 12-24 month period.

"Blithely":

adverb. without much thought, concern, or care:I blithely went ahead with my project without really considering the impact it would have on my career. in a joyous or happy way; cheerfully or lightheartedly

Not a good idea for anything more than a few weeks contract.

In reply to a post by pluralist:

In reply to a post by Airlane:

... And how many residential broadband customers read every clause of the contracts we blithely sign?

Most of the ones here I think would check the "early termination" charges, as they vary a lot between providers and none of really know how our circumstances could change on a 12-24 month period.

"Blithely":

adverb. without much thought, concern, or care:I blithely went ahead with my project without really considering the impact it would have on my career. in a joyous or happy way; cheerfully or lightheartedly

Not a good idea for anything more than a few weeks contract.

"Most of the ones here" narrows the target audience a little. By definition, half of the population are stupider than the average; that may give a bias to any results based on the people using this Forum.

In reply to a post by GonePostal:

"Most of the ones here" narrows the target audience a little. By definition, half of the population are stupider than the average; that may give a bias to any results based on the people using this Forum.

That looks to me like a rather elitist statement.

In reply to a post by pluralist:

In reply to a post by GonePostal:

"Most of the ones here" narrows the target audience a little. By definition, half of the population are stupider than the average; that may give a bias to any results based on the people using this Forum.

That looks to me like a rather elitist statement.

Is the problem that I have said something factually incorrect or that you have a different opinion about the likely awareness of people using this forum vis-a-vis the population as a whole - or is it just that you have a compulsion to play devil's adovcate once we get to a certain time of night?

It's up to you then, to explain the difference you perceive between the mix in the general population and those in this forum.

In reply to a post by Airlane:

I want to cancel my 18 month TT contract with 13 months left. This is because BT has introduced a Home Essentials broadband offer for people like me living on benefits which is considerably cheaper. However, TT wants to grab £132.60 from me for the privilege of being my current provider. A libertarian would tell me I agreed the contract; yes, I did - but only because TT broke my existing contract by drastically increasing the monthly price I'd agreed with them and insisting that I take up their new 'offer' in February 2021. I am sure that, if I took this to the Communications Ombudsman, it would agree that I and other TT customers had been exploited.

Can I simply stop paying TT and take up a contract with BT?

How much are you paying TT? £22.50 a month? If yes, then Home Essentials £20 a month isn't worth for £2.50 a month less!

In reply to a post by adslmax:

In reply to a post by Airlane:

I want to cancel my 18 month TT contract with 13 months left. This is because BT has introduced a Home Essentials broadband offer for people like me living on benefits which is considerably cheaper. However, TT wants to grab £132.60 from me for the privilege of being my current provider. A libertarian would tell me I agreed the contract; yes, I did - but only because TT broke my existing contract by drastically increasing the monthly price I'd agreed with them and insisting that I take up their new 'offer' in February 2021. I am sure that, if I took this to the Communications Ombudsman, it would agree that I and other TT customers had been exploited.

Can I simply stop paying TT and take up a contract with BT?

How much are you paying TT? £22.50 a month? If yes, then Home Essentials £20 a month isn't worth for £2.50 a month less!

I think you are right Max.

I looked round to see if i could find a better deal and having included the extra £2:50 TT are adding i could not find better, i get the speeds below on the Fibre 65 package so i don't mind paying the extra.

Edited by Jack_Hackett (Sun 11-Jul-21 15:36:13)

Yep, BT Home Essentials isn't really worth it because while you are going to pay £20 a month. You have to pay £10 for Postage and Package of the router delivery+you don't get the £70-£90 voucher that you normally get with the other providers via Uswitch.

Here's an example Now Broadband USwitch £50 reward card 12 month contract £24 a month. Here's some maths that shows how Home Essentials is an illusion.

Example Now Broadband 24x12=£288. 288-50=238. 238÷12=£19.83.

So basically at the end of the 12 month contract Now Broadband is actually cheaper than BT Home Essentials, which is more like £21 a month after the £10 postage and package.

I also had a price hike in my TalkTalk contract. I signed up to a 24 month contract for the FTTC 80/20 package in February 2020 via online chat. They said it will be a fixed 24 month contract at £21.95 (no price hikes).

But in April this year price jumped to £23.95 a month. My contract ends in February 2022.

I also found out coincidentally that my housing management team granted wayleave for CommunityFibre FTTP. So I realize that it would be irrational for me to quit TalkTalk just because of the £2 jump when in a few months I might get FTTP live and I wouldn't want to be tied to a new contract. At least I can switch in 7 months time.

So perhaps it may be worth sticking to TalkTalk for now until contract ends. A better offer with voucher/reward card might make it more economical in the long run than BT Home Essentials.

It's £15 a month for 40/10 on FTTP or FTTC.
Find anything close to that and you're doing well.

It's £20 a month for 80/20 on FTTP or FTTC.
On FTTP nothing comes close.

Both come with unlimited minutes to UK landlines and mobiles.

Your definition of "isn't really worth it" isn't the same as mine.
Jumping through cashback hoops to save £0.17 a month. The cashback isn't guaranteed either.
BT Essentials also comes with no early termination fees which can be great for people on the uncertainty of benefits.
They don't insist on direct debit either or charge more for paying by other means.

I agree the OP should see out the contract they signed.
I disagree BT Essentials isn't good value.

I've assisted a couple neighbours who were on BT FTTP to regrade to BT Home Essentials to save £10 and £15 a month each.
Both passed the eligibility check immediately and were regraded within 24 hours.
No router delivery charge for existing customers either.
I think it's brilliant value.