OFCOM

Mobile phone users should now be able to dodge irritating cold calls for free by texting the second opt-out number the Telephone Preference Service has launched in a week, after it emerged some were being charged to text the first number. While some users may receive a warning message stating the new number isn't free, the TPS assures us that no charge will be made.

Mobile phone users plagued by annoying marketing and sales calls can now send a text to join a register that makes unwanted calls to your number illegal – but while it's free for many, some people may be charged to use the service.

Broadband users throughout the UK previously forced to put up with slow connection speeds received a boost in yesterday's Queen's Speech in the form of plans to introduce the legal right to a "fast broadband connection".

A multi-billion pound merger between O2 and Three has been blocked due to concerns over the impact the proposed deal would have on UK mobile customers.

Around 10 million BT customers are facing above-inflation price increases from 3 July, with the cost of line rental rising by £1/month, some broadband packages increasing by up to 15% and BT Sport up 20%. But if you act now, it's possible to beat the hikes.

Cold callers who continue to bombard people with unwanted calls from withheld numbers could face fines of up to £2.5 million following the Government's introduction of new laws.

Thousands of former BT broadband customers who have switched to a different internet service provider but pay to keep their BT email account will be hit with a steep price hike in May, with the monthly usage charge rising from £1.60/mth to £5/mth.

Most EE and O2 mobile phone customers will be hit with monthly contract price rises of 1.3% from 30 March 2016. But if you're affected you're unlikely to be able to leave your contract penalty-free, as annual inflationary price rises such as these are written into the firms' mobile contracts.

Telecoms firms have been told they should stop advertising broadband as "free" if it comes with a hefty price tag for line rental attached, under tighter rules being brought in to ensure companies aren't "confusing and misleading" customers about the true cost of deals.

Millions of Sky customers hit with inflation-busting line-rental price rises last month have been given a fresh opportunity to haggle a better deal after action by regulator Ofcom.