Category: Telecoms
Landline switch-off sparks concerns for elderly and vulnerable
‘Hanging up’ on old tech requires action to ensure millions of elderly and vulnerable people stay connected as the UK retires traditional landline technology. A third of Brits (34%) are unaware of the upcoming switch from the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) to Digital Voice technology. Survey shows widespread concern for older relatives and friends,…
O2 launches free AI-powered scam call detection service
Millions of O2 customers will have suspected scam and nuisance calls flagged before they even pick up the phone, thanks to a free AI-powered feature that has just launched. Known as Call Defence, the service uses Adaptive AI to analyse call number behaviour in real-time and determine whether it could be a scam or spam call. Customers are…
Broadband, TV, mobile switchers could make annual savings £235, Which? reveals
Broadband, TV and mobile customers could save up to £235 a year by switching deals, Which? research has revealed. The consumer association surveyed more than 5,000 customers whose broadband, combined broadband and TV or mobile phone contract had ended in the past 12 months, asking if they had switched or haggled, and how much they…
Recycled phone numbers leaving users exposed to hacking, Which? warns
Mobile phone users could be at risk of hacking, nuisance calls and messages or having their phone cut off due to little-known rules around recycling of old phone numbers, Which? warns. The consumer watchdog has uncovered that there are risks posed by existing phone numbers that get reused by other consumers – from social media…
UK advertising watchdog cracks down on misleading broadband ads
The UK advertising watchdog has cracked down on marketing campaigns by telecoms companies including BT, EE, Virgin Media and O2 for misleading consumers about price rises added to their bills during their contracts. The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has issued a batch of rulings against ads run by BT, its subsidiaries EE and Plusnet, as well as…
Ofcom rules on roaming charge alerts for UK holidaymakers
UK mobile customers will be better protected against unexpected roaming charges while using their phone abroad and at home under new rules that come into force today, claims Ofcom. Following the UK’s exit from the European Union, the EU's ‘roam like at home’ rules – as well as UK law requiring mobile operators to alert customers…
File downloads take longer on O2 than other networks, Ofcom finds
File downloads take longer on O2 over 4G and 5G than on the other mobile networks, according to new Ofcom research published today. Ofcom’s latest ‘Mobile Matters’ research report puts people’s experiences of using mobile networks across the UK under the microscope, based on crowdsourced data collected between October 2023 and March 2024. Its analysis shows…
Ofcom fines BT £17.5m for 999 call-handling failures
Network disruption affected 14,000 emergency calls in June 2023 and lasted 10.5 hours Law requires networks to take appropriate steps to prepare for potential outages Ofcom finds that BT was not properly prepared to handle the incident Ofcom has today fined BT £17.5 million for being ill-prepared to respond to a catastrophic failure of its emergency…
Ofcom fines BT £2.8m for failing EE and Plusnet customers
EE and Plusnet – owned by BT – failed to implement new rules to help customers shop around At least 1.1 million customers were not given contract information before they signed up BT must refund early exit fees and let existing affected customers walk away penalty-free Ofcom has today fined BT £2.8m after it failed to provide…
BT delays landline switch off until 2027
BT has delayed plans to make customers switch from analogue copper-based landlines to digital-based VOIP (Voice Over Internet Protocol) services following concerns from vulnerable people. The switch was paused at the end of last year after several incidents where telecare devices stopped working. Nearly two million people in the UK use personal alarms which rely on…
