Sky, Virgin Media and BT forced to stop you paying too much for broadband and TV

Here’s how the new system works.

Under the new Ofcom rules, phone, broadband and pay-TV companies will have to warn customers between 10 and 40 days before their contract comes to an end. These alerts – sent by text, email or letter – must include:

• When your contract is up;

• What you’ve been paying until now, and what you’ll pay when your contract is up;

• Any notice period for leaving your provider; and

• Your provider’s best deals, including any prices only available to new customers.

• Anyone who is already out of contract must also be reminded they are out of contract, and told every year about their firm’s best deals.