Telecoms Contracts

[itdontgo]

Sort of off topic but...

My accounts technician signed us up with a telecoms provider 3 years ago who I instantly took a disliking to. I'm going to name and shame... Digitel/Unitel Telecoms UK. I not going to bad mouth them just report the facts. If you want to know why I don't like them it's below I won't bore you with it here. Anyway I've waiting out my 3 year contract and gave then 12 months notice and have been asked to pay disconnection fees for the mobiles, phone and internet even though I told them I don't want PAC codes or to continue with the number as we're shutting the business. Surely this cannot be right... paying to cancel your contract once it's come to an end? Does anyone know if they can pursue this legally?

Hi Michael,
Thank you for your email confirming that your service provision requires ceasing on the service anniversary date. I am sorry to hear that the business is closing and wish you the best of luck for the future.
Please complete and return the attached works orders approving the ceasing of the service as requested. Please be advised, as per the Terms and Conditions of the agreement, there is a £25.00 + VAT disconnection fee per Broadband and Mobile. Please ensure that the works order is signed by a director, Finance Manager or by the individual in charge of the company telecommunications. Many thanks.
Once the cease works order is approved and returned we can initiate the cease to complete on the service anniversary date. Please be advised that once ceased services cannot be retrieved for future use or transfer. You will continue to bill for the services until the cease completes. Calls bill in arrears. The disconnection charges will be applied to the account when the cease of the services completes.
If I can be of further assistance please do not hesitate to get in touch.
Kind regards
Janette



My first issue came when I wanted the router password to set up some port forwarding. They refused and insisted I pay them a call out for each port I wanted forwarding which was no good as we run servers here that I need to control for development work. Eventually I figured out the ADSL details and reset the TP-Link router.

Then we find the mobile phone contracts are £0.70+VAT to Ireland which is no good for us so I ask for the PAC numbers so we can use another provider. Firstly they insist that means the end of the contract as they cannot assign another number to the contract... OK so you expect it's X months times the monthly cost of the phone to get out of the remaining X months contract? Oh no, they added on the cost of the calls we'd been making and multiplied that by the remaining months too even though those calls won't be made. Clearly wrong. So we just stuck it out 2 years and I got another phone.

Then finally the big day came when there was a month left to run and I asked them to be cancelled. Oh no not allowed, our contracts were rolled over 3 months earlier as it states in the T&Cs. But actually in the UK a company with less than 10 employees is treated as a consumer in telecoms contracts so this is not allowed. After informing them of this along came a load of paperwork we had to fill in to prove we're a small organisation! Seriously. I should have stopped paying the bills but I told them here is 12 months notice next year I'm off and forgot about it.

Now today, disconnection fees for a contract that is over. I don't want the phone numbers so I don't see how there is anything to pay for. You judge this yourself but I don't think this is decent way for a company to trade.

[ebastler]

[...] Please be advised, as per the Terms and Conditions of the agreement, there is a £25.00 + VAT disconnection fee per Broadband and Mobile. [...]

Are they right about this, i.e. does the agreement you signed state explicitly that there will be disconnection fees?

[itdontgo]

Their agreement says there must be 3 months notice to cancel our contract when this is forbidden by Ofcom the UK telecoms regulator. I not asking what it says in the T&Cs because I know they don't necessarily comply with their industry's regulations.

[ebastler]

Their agreement says there must be 3 months notice to cancel our contract when this is forbidden by Ofcom the UK telecoms regulator. I not asking what it says in the T&Cs because I know they don't necessarily comply with their industry's regulations.

Not sure how these things work in the UK, but in Germany (and, I believe, many other European countries) a lot of the legal restrictions on T&Cs only apply to business-to-consumer contracts. The regulations are meant to protect consumers, who are less attuned to business practices and potential traps. In business-to-business dealings, there is much less regulation on what you can put in a contract, since these are seen as interactions between two business-savvy parties.

So, do the Ofcom regulations apply to B2B contracts too?
I'll let those who are familiar with UK regulations comment.

[Lord of nothing]

@itdontgo
Does it was a Business or a Private Contract?
If it was a Business one you are might screwed because what other Poster told the are not or much less regulated. When you are a Business Owner you must know what you are do. If not you should check into a Mental Asylum.