What can I do if my operator increases the price rates of my contract?

In the following weeks, Orange, Vodafone, Euskaltel, R and Telecable will join the price rise that Movistar and Yoigo carried out last April. In some cases, this increase will occur in exchange for improved services contracted.

Rights according to the Telecom User Service Office.

Faced with increases in operator rates, we always pose the same questions: May I cancel my contract? What about permanence?

In principle, before a price increase, the law protects the consumer, according to the Telecom User Service Office.

4 tips regarding users’ rights in case of a rate rise.

• Operators can only modify the contract if such modification is expressly provided therein, which it is usually. However, it is best to err on the side of caution and review if the contract specifies this modification.
• The company can modify the contractual conditions by communicating them at least one month in advance. They usually take advantage of the invoice of the previous month to issue the notification.
• According to the Telecom User Service Office, any modification of the contract gives the consumer the right to cancel the contract without penalty. Moreover, the operator must reflect the possibility for the subscriber to cancel the contract without penalty if they do not accept the new conditions in the communication.
• In the case of users who have a commitment of permanence after, for example, receiving a device with economic benefits, it is very likely they should pay an amount as compensation for those economic benefits enjoyed for the commitment of permanence of a given period. It is advisable to check this point with the operator before cancelling the contract.

In any case, and if you have any doubt, we recommend you to contact the Spanish Telecom User Service Office to explain your situation.