26/04/2017

Mobile Operators Criticised For Price Hikes

Some mobile operators have been criticised for increasing the costs of their monthly plans following the scrapping of EU roaming charges.

Fianna Fáil TD for Cavan-Monaghan Niamh Smyth said that some mobile operators were "attempting to gouge customers and rob them of savings which would come about as a result of the scrapping of roaming charges".

Deputy Smyth said: "I have been contacted by a number of people who have been notified by their provider that their monthly bills will increase by €5 on the exact date that EU roaming charges are being abolished. This is nothing more than a blatant attempt by these companies to claw back money from their customers. This is completely disingenuous and shows the complete lack of respect that these providers have for their loyal customer base.

"Irish mobile phone customers are already paying some of the most expensive tariffs in Europe, and now telecoms companies are trying to rip off consumers by imposing a new charge when they are due to see a reduction in roaming fees."

Deputy Smyth said that these companies should "immediately desist" from price increases and "play fair with their customers".

She concluded: "There are no logical grounds for this price hike. The vast majority of phone operators across the Europe are taking the change to roaming rules on the chin, and are not seeking to penalise their customers.

"Irish phone operators need to stop heaping charges on their customers and row back from this flawed move."

(MH/CD)

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