Contract cancellation

[Anonymous]

I just wanted to check whether I am laible to the contract cancellation charges.

O2 have decided to increase the charges for travelling outsiide the EU.

http://s.o2.co.uk/VDblOme8

I have plans to travel to USA for work issues in Nov/Dec. According to ofcom

Under Ofcom rules (known as 'General Conditions'), communication providers must give all businesses at least one month's notice of any changes in their contract that are likely to be of material detriment to them, including increases in the price you agreed.

If the agreed price increases are of 'material detriment' to you, you are therefore allowed to cancel that contract without penalty. Remember, this applies even if you are still within your 'minimum contract period'.

If your provider does not automatically give you the right to exit your contract without penalty following a price increase, but you consider the increase to be of 'material detriment', you could raise the matter with your provider.

Whether or not a price rise is materially detrimental to your business will be determined by your particular circumstances and the nature of your contract and your usage. You should be prepared to provide evidence of these to your provider.

Under the same rules as per ofcom can I request termination without a penalty ???

Thanks

[MI5 · Accepted solution]

As it states, you need to contact O2 about this http://www.o2.co.uk/contactus
You will have to prove that your bills will be significantly higher than the last time you travelled to the same country with the same phone usage.

[Wa10]

There's not actually any increase to the O2 Roaming Charges, simply that the in the budget this year the Chancellor moved them within the scope of VAT, whereas previously they had not been subject to VAT. 

It's worth noting that if your business is VAT registered, you will be able to reclaim this VAT input tax in the same way that you do for other VAT paid, either by offsetting against output VAT due, or if none then by claiming a repayment from HMRC.

If you have a consumer contract, you can still use O2 Travel in the US for the same £4.99 per day charge inc VAT (£4.16 ex VAT) therefore there would be no difference to the amount paid, and in fact if you are able to reclaim the VAT then there would actually be a reduction in your cost. If a business contract (which quoting OFCOM's business rules suggests?) then you can look at the ROW 24hr or 30 day passes, or speak to the business team about tailored offerings.