Want CNET to notify you of price drops and the latest stories?
No, thank you Accept
X
WWDC: Everything We ExpectRemote Working in ParadiseBest Mineral SunscreensBest Solar CompaniesCNET CouponsMeal Subscription vs. TakeoutBest Satellite Internet ProvidersCurrent Mortgage Rates
CNET logo Why You Can Trust CNET

Our expert, award-winning staff selects the products we cover and rigorously researches and tests our top picks. If you buy through our links, we may get a commission. Reviews ethics statement

O2 raises prices, won't let you cancel contract

O2 is adding 3.2 per cent to your monthly bill from February next year, but the small print forbids you from breaking your contract.

richard-trenholm-square.jpg
richard-trenholm-square.jpg
Richard Trenholm Former Movie and TV Senior Editor
Richard Trenholm was CNET's film and TV editor, covering the big screen, small screen and streaming. A member of the Film Critic's Circle, he's covered technology and culture from London's tech scene to Europe's refugee camps to the Sundance film festival.
Expertise Films, TV, Movies, Television, Technology
See full bio
Richard Trenholm
2 min read
Advertiser Disclosure
Advertiser Disclosure
This advertising widget is powered by Navi and contains advertisements that Navi may be paid for in different ways. You will not be charged for engaging with this advertisement. While we strive to provide a wide range of offers, this advertising widget does not include information about every product or service that may be available to you. We make reasonable efforts to ensure that information in the featured advertisements is up to date, each advertiser featured in this widget is responsible for the accuracy and availability of its offer details. It is possible that your actual offer terms from an advertiser may be different than the offer terms in this advertising widget and the advertised offers may be subject to additional terms and conditions of the advertiser which will be presented to you prior to making a purchase. All information is presented without any warranty or guarantee to you.

O2 is putting up its prices. The oxygenated network is adding 3.2 per cent to the monthly bill of every customer in February next year -- but the small print means you can't break your contract.

"We've held off putting our tariff prices up for as long as possible, even when our competitors raised theirs", says O2. "But now, because of inflation, we need to change the price of your tariff."

Curse you, inflation! The increase is a 3.2 per cent hike on your line rental, the flat fee you pay each month. So for example, if you pay £20 per month your new bill will be £20.64. If your bill is currently £30 per month, your new bill will be £30.96.

Texts, calls and minutes still cost the same and your allowances aren't changing. Mobile broadband deals are unaffected. The changes come into effect on 28 February 2013.

To see how your bill will change, type in what you currently pay to O2's price change calculator, which will tell you how much your new bill will be.

O2 has twice suffered major network outages this year, and has promised to invest £10m into the network. But if this price hike is the last straw, there's no escaping your contract. 

O2 points to clause 5 of your contract's terms and conditions, which specifies that the network is allowed to change prices from time to time, as long as you get at least 30 days notice. As it's in the Ts and Cs of the deal you signed, you won't be able to use the price hike as an excuse to get out of your contract without paying a fee -- probably the total amount you would have paid over the remainder of your contract.

What do you think of O2's price hike? Is your network value for money? Tell me your thoughts in the comments or on our Facebook page.