Leaving Plusnet because of price rise in June

Got email from plusnet below:

We need to let you know about some upcoming changes to your prices.
On 30 June 2021, as set out in your terms and conditions, the price for some of your Plusnet services will be increasing in line with the 0.7% Consumer Price index (CPI) rate of inflation published in April this year, plus 3.9%.

Been phoning up Plusnet if I am allow to leave because of price rise without early termination fee and they told me no they will apply early termination fee if you wish to leave because it already stated in T&C's when you sign up agreed to price increase around in June 2021 and again in March 2022.

I thought Ofcom not allow any ISP to charged early termination fee if any price increase in contract?

Updated: found it in T&C's stated: ° The price for broadband, line rental, call plans and call charges will increase each year by the Consumer Price Index (CPI) rate of inflation plus 3.9%. The first rise will be in June 2021 (using the CPI rate published in April 2021) and the rise will then take place in each March from 2022 (using the CPI rate published each January). Other prices, content and terms may also change during your contract. See our CPI Plus 3.9% Guide for details.

Edited by adslmax (Fri 14-May-21 12:02:39)

In reply to a post by adslmax:

I thought Ofcom not allow any ISP to charged early termination fee if any price increase in contract?

They changed the rules a while ago as you've seen in the t&c's.

The ISP can raise prices by CPI + 3.9% without having to let you leave your contract.

Very sneaty crafty by ISP to stop peoples leaving when price has increase in mid-contract! This shouldn't be allowed!

What has happen to FIXED PRICED DURING CONTRACT?

I don't think you have ever had that with Plusnet. (And please, shouting is not necessary).

I still with Plusnet ISP.

Exactly. But you have never had "no price rise within contract" T & Cs with them. So your question was meaningless.

Existing customers were given advanced warning of the CPI+ Ts&Cs changes on or around 22nd July 2020 and these would become applicable from 7th October 2020. The usual 'option' to agree a new contract with appropriate Ts&Cs or accept revised standard Ts&Cs or leave without penalty applied.

However, I'm just wondering if anyone else has received the advanced warning of an imminent CPI+ price increase ... to their FIXED PRICE FIXED TERM CONTRACT or whether it's just me !

My contract (retentions agreement) was taken out immediately prior to CPI+ Ts&Cs changes, I have irrefutable documentary evidence to prove it and as also clearly stated in the PN confirmation e-mail received at the time:

" Great news, you're on a fixed price contract, That means the cost of
your broadband and line rental won't go up while you're in contract.
We'll send you an end of contract reminder, and offer an account
review too, to make sure you're still on the right package for you. "

However, needless to say, the CPI+ price update email has just landed with a dull thud in my inbox :rolleyes:



... I somehow suspect that this is going to result in much heated arguments for a dog's age because the new DD charges were totally wrong from the very start and it took several months for that problem to be put right and for subsequent charges to be made in accordance with what had been contractually agreed


[edited to add details of Ts&Cs update warning etc.]

Edited by ambrougham (Fri 14-May-21 16:00:49)

It's hardly a big increase. After your minimum term you can always renegotiate.

I would argue that it is about time Ofcom stopped this practice. A fixed term contract should be just that. If the rate of inflation is above 5% p.a. ISPs should be able to apply to Ofcom for approval for a price increase and even then their customers should be allowed to leave without penalty.

It went over 5% anyway twice increase in 12 months (first one June 2021 and 2nd one in March 2022) disgraceful

I have cancelled renewal contract within 14 days cooling off don't agree with twice increase price. Totally unacceptable!

Edited by adslmax (Fri 14-May-21 20:26:14)