Ofcom to Force Telecom Providers to Tell Customers About Best Deals

By Adria Calatayud

The U.K. telecommunications regulator set out new rules on Wednesday that will force broadband, phone and pay-TV providers to tell customers about their best available deals as existing contracts come to an end.

The regulator, Ofcom, said providers will be required to alert customers by text, email or letter between 10 and 40 days before the end of their contracts.

Around 20 million U.K. customers could benefit from these new rules, which are due to come into effect on July 1, Ofcom said. Companies will then have nine months to make the necessary changes to their systems, and will start notifying customers from Feb. 15 next year, the regulator said.

"We're making sure customers are treated fairly, by making companies give them the information they need, when they need it," Ofcom's Consumer Group Director Lindsey Fussell said.

Write to Adria Calatayud at [e-mail]

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

May 15, 2019 04:55 ET (08:55 GMT)

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