Virgin Media O2 [VMO2] is calling for other mobile operators to introduce changes that would stop millions of people overpaying for their mobile phones, as new analysis reveals that handset overpayments are costing consumers £530 million each year. This comes as part of the company’s new campaign which aims to put an end to the ‘smartphone swindle’.
The media giant claims that three of the UK’s big four mobile providers are estimated to collectively have millions of customers on traditional phone contracts that bundle together airtime costs for minutes, texts and data with the price of the handset. The practice of combining these costs can lead to consumers paying extra for their phone because they receive little discount, if any, at the end of their contract and continue to be charged the same amount each month.
New research and analysis from Virgin Media O2 looking at the scale of the problem reveals millions of people are still paying for phones they already own each year.
