Britian's comms regulator has criticized O2 for hiking prices beyond what customers agreed to, exploiting a loophole in rules designed to end unpredictable mid-contract increases.

Millions of subscribers to the O2 network – now merged with Virgin Media as VMO2 – could face bills rising up to 40 percent more than expected from April 2026, a move Ofcom called disappointing.

"This goes against the spirit of our rules which are designed to ensure greater certainty and transparency for customers when they sign up," an Ofcom spokesperson told The Register .

New regulations that took effect in January 2025 banned inflation-linked price rises for new contracts, requiring providers to specify increases upfront in pounds and pence. But the rules also give customers penalty-free exit rights if pri

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