Ofcom issues confirmation decision for contravention of General Conditions

Article summary

Ofcom has issued a confirmation decision to Met Technologies and Guaranteed Telecom under section 96C of the Communications Act 2003 (CA 2003) for contravening General Condition (GC) C7.3(a), GC C7.7 and GC C7.14(a). This follows an investigation into compliance with slamming rules, the transfer of services from one company to another without the consumer’s knowledge or consent, which has now closed. This confirmation decision imposes a penalty of £10,000 on Guaranteed Telecom and £25,000 on Met Technologies in relation to their contraventions. Ofcom is satisfied that serious breaches of their rules to protect customers have taken place, amounting to a serious contravention due to the scope for significant harm to consumers. Such harm includes financial harm, stress and anxiety, as well as the time and expense for consumers to resolve the matter. The penalties issued reflect varied factors, including harm suffered by consumers, objective of deterrence and seriousness of the contravention.