BT charges £25 just to leave broadband!

 

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By Barry Collins

Posted on 3 Jul 2009 at 15:30

BT Broadband is charging customers £25 just to leave its service.

The fee, which was raised from £18.11 to £25 in June, applies to all customers who don't transfer to another internet provider.

PC Pro reader Keith Nicol from Edinburgh was shocked to discover that the company was charging his friend to be disconnected, even though he had surpassed the minimum contract term.

BT's new terms and conditions state: "When you end your broadband service and do not request and use a migration authorisation code (MAC) or another recognised transfer process to move to another service provider, from 12 June 2009 you will have to pay a cease charge of £25.00.

"You will not have to pay this charge in the event you are moving home and we are unable to provide the service at the new address."

The new fee could be a particularly bitter pill to swallow for customers who've been forced to cancel their broadband service during the credit crunch.

"The purpose of this charge is to encourage customers to use the correct migration process and cover technical costs incurred when this process isn't used," a BT spokesperson told PC Pro.

"The charge has increased in line with the costs of the work. This is the actual cost to BT of the work required within an exchange to recover equipment and amend records."

Does your ISP impose any ridiculous charges? Let us know on comments below.