Olilo the tenth signatory to the Telecoms Consumer Charter – UPDATE

Olilo who describe themselves as broadband redefined for speed-freaks, sysadmins and home lab heroes has signed up to the Telecoms Consumer Charter.

Three key parts of the consumer charter are:

• Committing to offering social tariffs
• Support for customers in financial difficulty
• Clear information on any mid-contract price rises

For Olilo the mid-contract price rises is easy, they don’t appear to do mid-contract price rises and even offer a rolling monthly contract for those not wanting a long term commitment (though a £60 leaving fee does apply if you leave within 12 months).

Vulnerable customers and those in financial difficulty do get some help, but at the time of writing this news item we cannot see a social tariff. We will chase up on that as it may just be the page needs adding to their website.

Update 1pm: We’ve been told by Olilo that while they don’t have a dedicated social tariff they will deal with cases of customers who face difficulty paying in a direct and practical manner. Essentially the detail on the vulnerable customer help page applies. They have said they will look at a social tariff as the retailer grows. They also highlighted that a social tariff is not a mandatory requirement for every signatory, which we feel dilutes the whole point of the charter.

Perhaps a way for the Telecoms Consumer Charter to be clearer would be to make it clear which clauses are mandatory or split things so that when a retailer signs up the exact clauses a retailer has agreed to are included.