Ofcom calls time on phone rip-off

An estimated 1.5 million people are still shelling out for mobile phones they’ve already paid off.

Ofcom is concerned that mobile phone customers with deals which ‘bundle’ together the cost of the handset and using it are continuing to pay the same instalments after their contract – typically 18 months or two years – ends.

It announced proposals yesterday to tackle the problem, after mobile operators failed to come up with a decent solution. Ideas include separating the cost of handset and airtime, and moving customers to a “fairer tariff” when the deal expires.