Mid-contract price increases on brand-new contract

[heavywater]

Hi all,

I believe there's a plan for Vodafone to increase prices by approximately 17% this April in line with other providers. I'm looking at an upgrade currently to Fibre 500 for £30.

If I placed an order for this now, the service could go live near the end of March. Would this mean that the cost of the contract would immediately jump to £35 days after I was connected, or is there a period for which new contracts are not eligible for a price increase? I had a look at various provider terms and conditions and the ofcom gudiance, but that specific case doesn't seem to be covered anywhere.

[Cynric]

I would imagine it is in your contract details.

[heavywater]

Unfortunately I can't see contract details without committing to a contract.

[heavywater]

I've also reviewed the full wording for my current contract, this is not covered.

[WelshPaul]

If it's not mentioned in the small print then one should assume that you will indeed be hit with the April price increase.

[heavywater]

I suspect that's the case.

I'd also be interested to know if the contract start date is the order date or the activation date. If the order was placed (for example) in March and went live 10th April, the minimum period would run for 2 years from 10th April.

Would this mean the rate increase would not apply or would it be applied to a service that doesn't exist?

[Jayach]

It will actually be 14.4% (CPI in January+3.9%), and yes, it is your contract.

Is it fair, no, but companies like Vodafone don't care about that.

[Cynric]

Quote from tiny print at the bottom of this page https://www.vodafone.co.uk/broadband/deals/select-plan

"Each April, your monthly plan charge will increase by an amount equal to the Consumer Price Index rate published by the Office for National Statistics in January (CPI rate) plus an additional 3.9% on top of the CPI rate. We will apply that CPI rate plus 3.9% adjustment from your April bill. In the event that the CPI rate is negative, this will be ignored but the additional 3.9% will still apply."

So, if you join in March you will get the price increase in April.

[heavywater]

Customer services seem to be telling people that that's not the case, and new contracts will have their first price increase in April 2024: https://www.hotukdeals.com/comments/permalink/49610912

I've now been told once by CS that a price increase will apply in April 2023, and once that it won't apply until April 2024.

I appreciate the community responses, but is there anyone from Vodafone that can please provide a bit of clarity?

[Cynric]

@heavywater There is nothing that I can see that is directly from VF that states that the price increase will only be in 2024 and the deals website has this caveat;

" Broadband Prices may rise mid contract.

There is a risk broadband providers can increase prices mid-contract, Usually tied the CPI (Consumer Prices Index) but whether you can escape paying these higher prices depends on the circumstances. You should be notified by said provider on both counts with further information as and when this occurs.

Please keep this in mind, when signing up to a new contract. "