Broadband price increase during contract

[writer1]

Although I have a fixed price contract for 18 months, my bill increased without my consent. 

My contract says; 

First sentence; 

Sky Broadband Superfast: £25.00 per month for 18 months, £39.50 per month thereafter

A few later sentence;

Prices may increase, including during the minimum term, unless we've agreed a fixed price with

you. We will let you know about any material changes and your options before we make them.

My understanding is price is fixed for 18 months and cannot be increased because we agreed fixed price for 18 months. 

What do you think? I am planning to use all my legal rights. 

[TimmyBGood]

@writer1 

" Prices may increase, including during the minimum term, unless we've agreed a fixed price with you " is the key phrase: unless the contract specifically and unambiguously states the price was fixed for the entire minimum period, then it's not.

Sky very rarely offers actual fixed pricing: it's not entirely unknown, but the vast majority of contracts are not on such a basis even though many customers believe that they are.

[writer1]

Thanks for your reply but it states:

Price:

Sky Broadband Superfast: £25.00 per month for 18 months, £39.50 per month thereafter

where is the ambiguity here? It is clear to me that price fixed for 18 months. This was my understanding when I read it during subcription. Am I missing someting? 

[Chrisee]

@writer1 that term will be subject to the  term @TimmyBGood quotes. The full T&Cs are here and run ro 44 pages and have to be taken as a whole you can't just lift the bit that suits you unfortunately. If you want independent advice on this do talk to an advice agency like Citizens Advice.

[TimmyBGood]

---

@writer1 wrote:

 This was my understanding when I read it during subcription. 

---

I suspect that's what many people 'understand', but that doesn't mean it's actually the case.

I'd note that all recent text does carry the caveat 'prices may change during the minimum term' much more prominently than it used to be.

[TimmyBGood]

@writer1 

Perhaps also see recent news stories relating to proposed Ofcom changes in regulation relating to mid-contract price rises, which wouldn't be necessary if such increases weren't common practice across the telecoms industry.

https://www.ofcom.org.uk/news-centre/2023/ban-on-inflation-linked-mid-contract-price-rise 

[writer1]

Thanks for your replies. I want to make one thing clear here. I am not arguing mid term price increase. I am arguing that although price was fixed for 18 months (which is written on contract summary explictly) why the price increased in midterm (I almost have 10 more months). 

I think best option for me to take the issue Citizen Advise with contract summary and related documents. Then depending on their advise I will challenge this price increase.  Thank you. 

[daveNOS]

---

@writer1 wrote:

Thanks for your replies. I want to make one thing clear here. I am not arguing mid term price increase. I am arguing that although price was fixed for 18 months (which is written on contract summary explictly) why the price increased in midterm (I almost have 10 more months). 

I think best option for me to take the issue Citizen Advise with contract summary and related documents. Then depending on their advise I will challenge this price increase.  Thank you. 

---

@writer1 Can you show exactly where it states the price is fixed for 18 months, if it is only as you state in your first post then it doesnt say fixed at all, it just states the price at the point of sale and that prices may increase during the minimum term.

[writer1]

Price:
Sky Broadband Superfast: £25.00 per month for 18 months, £39.50 per month thereafter
Activation Charge: £0.00
Hardware Charge:£0.00
Delivery Charge: £0.00
The monthly price above includes Line Rental.

[jamesn123]

@writer1 

That does not say fixed.

A contracted minimum term price is entirely different to a specified fixed price.

For example I am with Zen & when they sold me the package it specifically stated the contract was a price guarantee contract with a FIXED price. My price has not changed in 3yrs. However when I was with other ISPs there was nothing in there that mentioned FIXED or GUARANTEE hence my contract price went up with inflation every April which is what has happened for you.

[daveNOS]

@writer1 It diesn't state anywhere in anything you have posted that the price is fixed, you ar simply ignoring the advice given and repeating the same information which you are interpreting incorrectly.