Byline: Ben Haugh
CUSTOMERS of internet provider UPC have a New Year treat in store this January, in the form of a surprise price hike.
In a move described by its own customers as 'sneaky', the company will increase prices across the board this Tuesday.
Most customers, however, remain in the dark about the impending price hike, which is as high as [euro]16 per month on one package, and [euro]7 on their [euro]25 broadband option.
The internet company chose to inform customers with a small notice in the 'about us' section of their website, and by putting some adverts in selected papers. No details of the increases appear on their homepage, and no customers have been contacted in writing, contrary to guidelines of the Communications Regulator, ComReg.
Despite this, UPC say those who continue using their service after January 4 will be deemed to have accepted the new terms.
Almost all UPC customers will see a jump in prices, with the Fibre Ultimate bundle costing a whopping [euro]16.25 per month more.
By law, customers are free to cancel their contract within 30 days of any change - assuming the customer realises, that is.
Astonishingly, the December 3 price hikes follow a good business year for UPC whose phone subscriptions rose by 64% while web customers increased 37%.
One UPC customer, Sean Finn, said: 'What could be more obscure than putting it on the website? Nobody visits a website belonging to their broadband provider unless they have a specific reason to. I don't think it's being a little bit sneaky, I think it's being 150% sneaky.' Comreg spokesman Tom Butler said: 'ComReg has made it clear to all service providers that press notifications and other forms of notification not sent to subscribers individually are not considered as meeting the requirement of the regulations.' One customer said: 'It annoys me that UPC can send me a text to let me know every time my bill is due to be paid, but can't even get in touch to let me know about changes to my contract.'
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