News - BT overcharged rival ISPs, ordered to refund £95 million

[HEXUS]

Ofcom rules in favour of BSkyB, TalkTalk, Virgin Media, Verizon UK and Cable & Wireless.

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[technodean]

I can't understand why they charge so much. recently changed to talktalk, which BT rang me telling me how bad talktalk was and would offer me the same adsl2 unlimited service for £26 + line, tried explaining there is a massive difference between £26 and £6.50 which talktalk charge.

[zaph0d]

If they actually said "How bad TalkTalk" were then they're guilty of breaching Ofcom's rules concerning the selling of communications systems (broadband & phones).
That's up to 10% of total earnings fines per breach on a per case basis (emphasis on the "UP TO" just like the broadband they sell )

Used to work for BSkyB sales inbound for 7 years (yeah I'm the guys that told ya that ya needed (pick a package any package)) and later selling BT's Fiber on a PT basis for a laugh so I do know the "Idiots guide to Ofcom Selling Rules" which is basically "No badmouthing the competition or we can fine you up to 10% of your gross earnings". Nasty.

[Doherz]

I've sold broadband for another major company and trust me they never told any of the staff about the ofcom selling rules. I only knew because of watching some consumer reports program like watchdog.
Basically if any sales jobs are outsourced then the rules can go out of the window. Replaced by sell however you can or lose your job.

[hesham1516]

Thing is, no matter how much BT overcharged, the customers wont get to see a single penny even though it only effect them.

[MercutioUK]

While they get some stick for pricing I can't really fault the service. Running the 80MB fiber service and it's been excellent so far. Had 1 evening of slightly dodgy connection in just over a year.
The ADSL service from BT probably isn't worth the premium but the infinity product is very nice.

[OilSheikh]

I can't understand why they charge so much. recently changed to talktalk, which BT rang me telling me how bad talktalk was and would offer me the same adsl2 unlimited service for £26 + line, tried explaining there is a massive difference between £26 and £6.50 which talktalk charge.

Talktalk is cheap but speeds are abysmal! Speed Throttling is just appalling!
I know because I ended up with them after Tiscali got bought over by them.

[iamlorro]

While they get some stick for pricing I can't really fault the service. Running the 80MB fiber service and it's been excellent so far. Had 1 evening of slightly dodgy connection in just over a year.
The ADSL service from BT probably isn't worth the premium but the infinity product is very nice.

I'm in the same position, but only just got over the half year mark.

I had previously been with Virgin Media, and was worried about swapping to BT, due to their reputation, but there's a happy end (?) to the story at the moment.

[rabbid]

Thing is, no matter how much BT overcharged, the customers wont get to see a single penny even though it only effect them.

Well exactly as the refunds are to corporate customers (resellers), I doubt that will ever be passed to end user customers but lets hope could be used to improve infrastrusctures