The cost of living crisis has meant many households have had to cut down on other essentials to pay for telecom services

Broadband and mobile companies such as BT, O2 and Vodafone use the rate of inflation to set its price increases.

The global coronavirus pandemic has meant more people are struggling to pay their broadband and mobile bills

Roaming charges and international calls are amongst the two biggest causes

“This is the one thing we didn’t want to happen”

Ofcom’s new switching rule will come into force on Monday (July 1)

SMARTY launched in August 2017 and works off the Three network

Consumers are taking longer to clear debts, 49pc made repayments immediately in 2016, the figure has dropped to 41pc

3.3 per cent increase from Virgin is less than rival networks

Men are two times more likely than women to conceal their mobile bills

Customers can change data tariffs and price every month starting from tomorrow (Oct 27)

The regulatory body said it will take action “if BT fails to honour its agreement”

MoneySavingExpert.com investigation uncovers “huge number” of problems with billing, incorrect tariffs and customer service issues