Meteor Contract Changes

TallGlass

Meteor Contract changes it seems. So bill pay customer should technically now have the option to leaving the contract without penalty should they choose too.

We are not getting much of a response from the reps on the talk to forum;

http://www.boards.ie/ttfthread/2057309230

What are the changes?

Billpay Directory Enquiry Pricing Change November 2014


Meteor wishes to notify its customers of changes to rates for calls to Directory Enquiries Services which will be effective from November 18th 2014, as a result of increased wholesale rates from Directory Enquiry service providers.

The following per minute and call connection rates for calling 11811,11818 11850, 11860 and 11890 Directory Enquiries will be effective from 18.11.2014 for all existing and new Meteor customers:

Bill Pay

DQ Service Provider

Connection Charge*

Per Minute Charge

11811 National Directory Enquiries
€1.25
€1.25
11818 National Directory Enquiries
€1.99
€1.99
11850 National Directory Enquiries
€2.90
€2.90
11860 National Directory Enquiries
€2.90
€2.90
11890 National Directory Enquiries
€1.65
€1.65
* Following the initial connection charge, per second billing applies. All charges are shown per minute but billed per second unless otherwise stated.

According to ComReg you have one month to opt out of this new contract without penalty.

Fixed Line

Is my service provider allowed to change the terms & conditions of a package I have signed up for ?

In many cases, your service provider can change the terms and conditions of your package. However, your service provider must give you at least one month’s notice of the proposed change to your package and details of your right to withdraw from your contract, without penalty, if you do not accept the proposed change to your contract terms.
Related FAQs include
Does my service provider have to let me know if it is changing my terms & conditions?

Yes, your service provider must let you know about the proposed changes to your terms and conditions at least one month in advance of when the new terms and conditions become effective. Additionally, your service provider must also give you details of your right to withdraw from your contract, without penalty, if you do not accept the proposed change to your contract terms. A press notice and/or a notice on your service provider’s website are not sufficient to let you know about the proposed changes to your contract terms and your right to withdraw.

What do I do if my service provider did not let me know that it is changing my terms & conditions?

If you did not receive notice from your service provider about changes to its terms and conditions and you have now realised that the terms have changed you should contact your service provider to enquire about its process for notifying you of the proposed changes and your right to withdraw. If you are not satisfied that you were appropriately notified, at least one month in advance, you should lodge a formal complaint with your service provider. If your complaint is not dealt with appropriately, you can escalate the matter to ComReg’s ConsumerLine.

http://www.askcomreg.ie/home/is_my_service_provider_allowed_to_change_the_terms_and_conditions_of_a_package_i_have_signed_up_for_.1.202.LE.asp

It seems a few posters are not getting anywhere with the regulation 17 bylaw

Under Regulation 17 of the European Communities (Electronic Communications Networks and Services) (Universal Services and Users' Rights) Regulations 2003, an operator shall, not less than one month prior to the date of implementation of any proposed modification, notify its subscribers to that service of the proposed modification in the conditions of the contract for that service and their right to withdraw without penalty from such contract if they do not accept the modification

Meteor are having none of it and are in my option breaking the law. Anyway if you get no where you can escalate this to ComReg. I would ring them up and ask to cancel and see how you get on and quote what ComReg have on there website and also Regulation 17.

Chances are you will get a null response from this. If so ask for the e-mail address to lodge a formal complain and also do it in writing. You will more than likely get the same response back, if so escalate this to ComReg and say that you have lodge a formal complaint with Meteor and they still won't acknowledge Regulation 17 or basic Irish law for that matter and ComReg should sort it out.

Basically it's the same as was on here a few months back about the UPC contract changes!

Best of luck hope this helps a few people.

unklerosco

Any idea if this change is happening with emobile?

Rafloution

It affects emobile too

http://www.emobile.ie/terms/?/general/billpaynotification/

balfe1990

Okay, explain like I'm five.

What can one actually do with this info? I can walk away from my new (three months into a 24 month contract, subsidized handset) without any fees?

Surely not?

Etnies

Do I have to be "that" person that says where's the bargain alert

scudzilla

balfe1990 wrote: »

Okay, explain like I'm five.

What can one actually do with this info? I can walk away from my new (three months into a 24 month contract, subsidized handset) without any fees?

Surely not?

There was a similar issue around 4yrs ago, they agreed to cancel contracts BUT you had to send in the handset you got, they'd reimburse you if you paid, if it was a free handset you got nothing

wilser

balfe1990 wrote: »

Okay, explain like I'm five.

What can one actually do with this info? I can walk away from my new (three months into a 24 month contract, subsidized handset) without any fees?

Surely not?

Think I'm missing something as well,
From my reading of the op meteor are just letting you know that a directory service provider have increased their price to meteor, who are passing on these extra charges to their customers.
Not sure how this makes your contract null and void but maybe I'm not connecting the dots properly

unklerosco

Etnies wrote: »

Do I have to be "that" person that says where's the bargain alert

yes

eamon234

People actually still use Directory Enquiries now? Seriously?

OU812

OK, This is interesting. Just opened a business account last week with emobile, all on rolling contracts apart from 1 which is locked to two years because of a handset on it which was only ordered today.

No there's no plans to leave, they're excellent value, realistically We'll probably be with them for at least two years, but I would like the option to go elsewhere without penalty if we wanted to (would pay for the handset naturally).

Could we do that ? If so, what do we need to do to break the contract (while informing them we'll be maintaining the account), is there a terminology we need to use ?

unklerosco

wilser wrote: »

Think I'm missing something as well,
From my reading of the op meteor are just letting you know that a directory service provider have increased their price to meteor, who are passing on these extra charges to their customers.
Not sure how this makes your contract null and void but maybe I'm not connecting the dots properly

its still a change in the contract, they don't have to pass the charges on.. if they didn't ur contract would be the same...

TallGlass

Etnies wrote: »

Do I have to be "that" person that says where's the bargain alert

The bargain alert is if you wish to get out of contract early. Maybe you want a new phone and are still in contract so can't get a new phone. You could leave your contract and sign up and get a new phone on a new contract.

This isn't a get a free phone and scam Meteor. It's if you wanted to say move to Three but it will cost you the balance of closing your account say 400€ if you cancel now it will cost 0€ and your free to move. Saving you the 400€

wilser wrote: »

Think I'm missing something as well,
From my reading of the op meteor are just letting you know that a directory service provider have increased their price to meteor, who are passing on these extra charges to their customers.
Not sure how this makes your contract null and void but maybe I'm not connecting the dots properly

True, which is a change to the contract. When you sign a contract you agree to certain rates and tariffs. Say you sign up to a 49.99€ per month plan. Meteor can't decide in two weeks too up that plan to 69.99€ per month without giving you an option to leave. So Meteor passing on the rate is changing part of your contract tariffs.

scudzilla

Here's the last time this happened, was a total clusterfcuk

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055977831

wilser

TallGlass wrote: »

The bargain alert is if you wish to get out of contract early. Maybe you want a new phone and are still in contract so can't get a new phone. You could leave your contract and sign up and get a new phone on a new contract.

This isn't a get a free phone and scam Meteor. It's if you wanted to say move to Three but it will cost you the balance of closing your account say 400€ if you cancel now it will cost 0€ and your free to move. Saving you the 400€



True, which is a change to the contract. When you sign a contract you agree to certain rates and tariffs. Say you sign up to a 49.99€ per month plan. Meteor can't decide in two weeks too up that plan to 69.99€ per month without giving you an option to leave. So Meteor passing on the rate is changing part of your contract tariffs.

So if the sex lines started charging €20 a minute meteor aren't allowed to pass these charges on?

54kroc

Etnies wrote: »

Do I have to be "that" person that says where's the bargain alert

If it's anything like the time O2 did this then it could be the bargain of the year for some people.

partyatmygaff

I availed of this last time for an early upgrade, still with Meteor 4 years on.

darrenking

Has anybody actually successfully terminated their contract yet this way and if so how?

BArra

Interested in leaving emobile due to dreadful 3g speed going on months now. They seem to be throttling.

Anybody care to be the guinea pig to leave emobile and report back

BArra

BArra wrote: »

Interested in leaving emobile due to dreadful 3g speed going on months now. They seem to be throttling.

Anybody care to be the guinea pig to leave emobile and report back

I'm your Huckleberry!

I've been locked into a contract the past year with emonile and have another 6 months left. I cant get a single bar if reception most of the time never mind 3g!!

Thanks OP you've made my day!

marklazarcovic

I availed of this few years ago..rang up said i wanted out of contract..offerd me a instant upgrade to stay

Kenny Logins

partyatmygaff wrote: »

I availed of this last time for an early upgrade, still with Meteor 4 years on.

"You're not happy with the new lower prices..?"

"No, and I'd like to terminate my contract please."

:pac:

I stayed with them for a year anyway.

dodzy

Can't see this as a "get out" folks, really. It's not like they are upping their charges, changing mins/text plans etc;

This is a 3rd party price change and I cannot see it allowing one to get out but happy days for those affected if it works out.

FWIW, 2.90 per min for 11850 in a crime. Regulators - me hole.

Darren 83

Meteor not playing ball, saying its only effects payg.

marklazarcovic

Kenny Logins wrote: »

"You're not happy with the new lower prices..?"

"No, and I'd like to terminate my contract please."

:pac:

I stayed with them for a year anyway.

Think it was a roaming price increase last time ..not that i cared 😀

Kenny Logins

marklazarcovic wrote: »

Think it was a roaming price increase last time ..not that i cared 😀

Not when I did it.

Berty

I cannot see this benefiting any contract customers as meteor would lose a small fortune. I have 12 months rental left on my iPhone contract so for them to write that off would be mental without a significant fight?

BArra

TheTorment wrote: »

I'm your Huckleberry!

I've been locked into a contract the past year with emonile and have another 6 months left. I cant get a single bar if reception most of the time never mind 3g!!

Thanks OP you've made my day!

Haha. Report back please Huckleberry!

JustAddWater

Beer Baron wrote: »

I cannot see this benefiting any contract customers as meteor would lose a small fortune. I have 12 months rental left on my iPhone contract so for them to write that off would be mental without a significant fight?

i've 24 months left

Tusky

Darren 83 wrote: »

Meteor not playing ball, saying its only effects payg.

It clearly says billpay customers in the message at the top?

Darren 83

Tusky wrote: »

It clearly says billpay customers in the message at the top?

They are saying it does not affect me so wont release me from contract

BArra

BArra wrote: »

Haha. Report back please Huckleberry!

Just spoke to emobile
firstly they said all customers were notified by text or letter. I received neither.
Apparently the new charges are NOT included in my anytime contract. So according to emobile this does not infringe my contract.

The CS rep wasn't sure tbh and spoke to her manager

BArra

BArra wrote: »

Haha. Report back please Huckleberry!

Just spoke to emobile
firstly they said all customers were notified by text or letter. I received neither.
Apparently the new charges are NOT included in my anytime contract. So according to emobile this does not infringe my contract.

The CS rep wasn't sure tbh and spoke to her manager. They confirmed that it was not in breach of contract.
will contact comreg later methinks

Tusky

TheTorment wrote: »

Apparently the new charges are NOT included in my anytime contract. So according to emobile this does not infringe my contract.

Why would they be included in your contract, they are new charges! Unless they mean the old rates for 11850 etc are not specified in your contract?

Tusky

Tusky wrote: »

Why would they be included in your contract, they are new charges! Unless they mean the old rates for 11850 etc are not specified in your contract?

Sorry. They meant the old charges weren't included.

antodeco

Hmm, would be interesting to see. I didn't receive any notification of the changes. I have rang directory enquiries before, so if I ring them again, it will be more expensive? Surely that's classed as a contract change?

Tusky

TheTorment wrote: »

Sorry. They meant the old charges weren't included.

Might be time to dig out the old Meteor contract!

wandatowell

Interesting, my contract is up in 4 months.

I rang eMobile to see about getting 4G and the lady replied that I couldn't get it until my contract expired. I thought it was ridiculous them not allowing me pay them more money for a service they provide.

Tough titties, I'll take my mobile and hone broadband business elsewhere.

Berty

"wandatowell wrote:

Tough titties, I'll take my mobile and hone broadband business elsewhere.

That's what their customer loyalty/retention departments are for. Tell them you'd like to upgrade early or leave. Their job is to keep you, not regular customer service, you'll get something. I got an early upgrade from metoer last year for the 5S because I asked customer loyalty.

Tusky

Tusky wrote: »

Might be time to dig out the old Meteor contract!

I'm one of these people who foolishly lights the fire with such things!!


Anyone else call emobile?

5500

Called meteor retention and they weren't having a bar of it saying it doesn't effect bill pay price plans

jh79

3 state in their contracts that roaming and directory inquiries are variable charges and can be changed during a contract, do the meteor contracts contain anything similar?

Tusky

Called and they said it is a premium service and they do not set the price. They said the specific price is not mentioned in the terms and conditions that I signed up to.

I argued that the premium service is changing how much it is charging Meteor, and Meteor is then changing how much it is charging its customers, but to no avail.

Email had this response:

Thank you for your email. In order to request cancellation you will need to contact our Customer Care team on free phone 1905 and request to be transferred to the Customer Support Team. A member of our Customer Support team will then talk you through our cancellation process.

We have passed on charges which have been imposed on Meteor by third party service providers. This means that there has been no change to the customers T’s and C’s with Meteor, and therefore no change in contract. The increase is regretted but is needed to cover changes in Meteor’s costs.

Early cancellation Fees will be applied to accounts that cancel or request to cancel within contract.

Looks like it's a no go.

balfe1990

I think the real question is why have the rates for these premium, yet virtually obsolete lines been increased, when a simple and free internet search would suffice if you're looking for a number?

foggy_lad

jh79 wrote: »

3 state in their contracts that roaming and directory inquiries are variable charges and can be changed during a contract, do the meteor contracts contain anything similar?

That is an unfair term in the contract and they must state their charges and any change to those charges during the contract period breaches that contract.

foggy_lad

jh79 wrote: »

3 state in their contracts that roaming and directory inquiries are variable charges and can be changed during a contract, do the meteor contracts contain anything similar?

That is an unfair term in the contract and they must state their charges and any change to those charges during the contract period breaches that contract.

avantarklu

There is notice on their website dated 7th May 2011 concerning changes to Premium Rate SMS charges. This notice contains the Regulation 17 cancellation option

Meteor wishes to notify its impacted customers of the following changes, effective as of 7th May 2011.

Premium Rate SMS Price Change:

Meteor advertises the following codes as being standard SMS rate. Meteor’s standard SMS rate for PAYG Customers is 12c incl. VAT. From May 7th 2011, the following codes will cost 12c incl VAT per transaction.

Under Regulation 17 of the European Communities (Electronic Communications Networks and Services) (Universal Services and Users’ Rights) Regulations 2003, an operator shall, not less than one month prior to the date of implementation of any proposed modification, notify its subscribers to that service of the proposed modification in the conditions of the contract for that service and their right to withdraw without penalty from such contract if they do not accept the modification.

If you are a subscriber to the services affected by these changes and if you do not accept these changes, you may therefore cease to use the service without penalty imposed, by giving us written notice, received at any time prior to the implementation of the change. Should such notice be received, your account will be terminated in line with our normal provisions. Please note that continued usage of the services at any stage after the implementation of changes, shall be taken as acceptance of same.
Interesting that they appear to be adopting a different view to the latest notice concerning “premium rate” changes to Directory Enquiries.



They do hint at Reg 17 for PAYG customers, stating
“if you do not accept these changes, you may therefore cease to use the service without penalty imposed. Please note that continued usage of the services at any stage after the implementation of changes, shall be taken as acceptance of same.”
This wording is lifted from the Reg 17 wording dating back to their 2011 notice but is excluded in the current Billpay notification.

jh79

foggy_lad wrote: »

That is an unfair term in the contract and they must state their charges and any change to those charges during the contract period breaches that contract.

Worked for 3.

antodeco

Just looked through the contract there. Premium rate numbers are separetly defined within the contract. Three/Vodafone have this declared in their Terms and Conditions, that they are not liable for changes to these numbers. They have this stated, which you can refuse to accept (by not signing up).

However, after reading through the eMobile contract, there is no singular definition of how premium rate numbers are charged. Under Article 6.2, it does state "Services may be available on the basis of different Price Plans with different rates of Charges. We may vary the Charges at any time at our discretion. In the event that Charges are varied we will post notification of such changes on our web site, instores and/or notify you through the Services (e.g. SMS), by e-mail or by post. You may therefore not receive notification if we have no contact details for you. Details of Price Plans and Charges are available on www.emobile.ie or by request to eMobile, 1 Heuston South Quarter, St. John's Road, Dublin 8." (correct as of 13:51 22/10/2014)

The legal obligation of this article applies to a variation across the different tariff plans. As this is a blanket change, the above piece cannot be used within a contract obligation scenario. There is NO other reference of premium rate numbers, and eMobiles requirement to allow price changes without affect of contract.

Based on this, I can see no legal standing for eMobile to refuse any person cancel their contract. Just so people are aware, it is not Regulation 17, but regulation 14 (4).
"(4) An undertaking referred to in paragraph (1) shall, not less than one month prior to the date of implementation of any modification to the contractual con-ditions proposed by the undertaking, notify its subscribers to that service of—
(a) the proposed modification in the conditions of the contract for that
service, and
(b) their right to withdraw without penalty from such contract if they do
not accept the modification. "

I know that eMobile/meteor reps are reading this, and I offer to them the ability to liase with me via private message over this matter, otherwise, as their medium in which they have notified customers is on their website only, is it to be construed that they accept the above. In case of any omission of the reps of not being aware of these changes, I urge people to link to this particular post where you deem necessary.

To summarise, within the eMobile contract, there is no statement to state that premium rate numbers, fall outside the standard terms and conditions, which implies that should any change happen to these numbers, it is in affect, an alteration to a standard contract. Under Regulation 14(4) we have a right to cease this contract, by giving 30 days notice.

*Please note, do not quote the above verbatim, as it is not a legal statement, and is issued as my reading of the contract. Equally, the use of the above removes me from any legal obligation to satisfy the above to any individual.*

Heisenberg1

Would the same apply to Meteor?

wandatowell

*Follows thread

Tusky

Response to my request for cancellation.

it is our position that Regulation 14 under the 2011 Universal Service Obligations (formerly Regulation 17 under 2003 regulations) does not apply in this case. The changes to the call charges for directory enquiry calls for contracted customers is a result of increases that have been imposed on Meteor by third party service providers. As a result, there has been no change to customers’ terms and conditions and therefore no change in contract.

The use of directory enquiries is completely discretionary for each customer and you are under no obligation to use any of the available directory enquiry services.

If you would like to proceed with your cancellation request please reply to this email confirming full cancellation of your account on the 21st November 2014

However, we must make you aware that early cancellation fees will be applied to your account as your 24 month contract commenced in January of 2014.

If you still wish to proceed with your cancellation, your Bill pay account will be closed within 30 days and a final bill will be sent to your registered address on the next billing date.