o2 Price Increase, read the small print

So I got an email today from o2 saying about the increase in my phone bill. the increase will be 3.2% and will be on the next bill after the 28th February 2013, increasing my months bill by £0.83.

While at first I was a little pissed of, thinking how can they just increase my phone bill, when I signed up at X amount a month for 2 years. Then I sat back and thought about it, hang in, I signed a contract when I signed up for my phone, like any contract there must be something in there about this and low and behold there was.

o2’s Terms and Conditions, state:

5.2 We may increase or decrease our Charges from time to time. If we increase our Charges (apart from for Additional Services), we’ll let you know at least 30 days before the Charges are due to go up and you’ll have the rights explained in paragraphs 5.3 and 5.4. We won’t increase your Monthly Subscription Charges more than once in any 12 month period.

Fair enough, in clear black and white, they say they are able to increase or decrease charges from time to time. Simple you signed the agreement when you took your contract out. Just like any contract it’s up to you to read it and make your mind up if you are happy with their terms.

While I can see how some people are not happy with this, and I can see that some people can say that you do not have much choice as you can not really negotiate with a huge company like o2 on their terms and conditions, but you also do not have to sign the contract. Read the contract!