O2 Tariff increases: Inflation of 2.6% RPI

The O2 network has just announced that they will be adjusting the price their tariffs to keep in line with the current 2.6% Retail Price Index (RPI) rate of inflation. The network has already ensured that this was mentioned in their terms and conditions within their contracts, so for those that are looking at using this as a way to void your contract with the network, it will not work. 

They have advised that all users will see the change on their April 2017 bill. To get an idea of what that means, if you were on a £30 tariff this would be an increase of 78p a month, excluding VAT. See the new charges.

O2 reassure us that their increased prices mean better coverage!

They went on to say;

"Meanwhile, we’re always working to make your network faster, smarter and stronger. That’s why we now give 4G coverage in over 11,000 cities, towns and villages across the UK, and we’ll be continuously rolling it out until we achieve our target of 98% UK indoor population coverage by the end of 2017"

Each year, the UK networks look to adjust their tariff rates, dependant on the UKs inflation rates. This means, if you are not happy with O2, you can not run to Vodafone, as they will be doing the same with their clients. If you want to blame someone for this, you can always look towards Brexit. The 2.6% increase is one of the highest increases recorded in a while. 

What is this RPI?

 

RPI is a widely recognised measure of the general level of inflation and several industries use it as a guide on whether to adjust prices, as well as by how much. If you're on O2, RPI can impact your Pay Monthly tariff, including your O2 Refresh Airtime Plan (but not the Device Plan), your sim only tariff, standard tariff and mobile broadband tariff.

For Business customers, RPI can impact all eligible mobile voice monthly line rental charges, Business Essentials airtime plan (not device plan), SIM only tariffs, mobile broadband tariffs and Pop Up Office tariffs.

This year's RPI was published on 14 February and is 2.6%.

If you are joined or upgraded before 13 February 2017, they will be sending you a message soon with information on the adjustment and how it impacts your contract. If you joined or upgraded after this date, they will have told you about it before you'd signed up. When they say told you, they mean "include this in the contract". To be fair to them, this is the procedure with all UK networks.