Details and gubbins
So I took out an mobile phone contract recently (an 18 month one) and in turn received a shiny new G1 handset, and a bill for £25 p/m. Phone company has now written to me saying that they intend to update my Ts&Cs to accommodate extra charges in some circumstances.

My queries are thus:

Does this give me sufficient terms to end the contract (as I'll potentially be suffering a material loss with some of the charges)?
Would I get to keep the handset?
Would I be able to take the almighty piss and stay with the same operator on one of their shit-cheap price plans?

The reason that this is an almighty blag? I've been with them one month so far and obtained £50 through referring 2 friends. If this all goes through according to plan, I could well be in pocket courtesy of the phone company.

So, knowledgable people of OT, unremembered phone employee, InternetLawyerman(?), will this go off without a hitch?

Ta.
(b3tamax Mate, you're fat and I'll throw you in the river, Fri 29 May 2009, 10:38, 3 replies, latest was 16 years ago)

I'm NOT a lawyer, but
if the original contract gives them the right to make unilateral changes to the T&Cs then they might be on sounder ground.

If you were able to convince them that you were within your rights to drop out of the contract, then you'd be needing to restore them to the position they were in if the contract hadn't existed, e.g., you'd have to return the handset in unused condition.
(Eds Meds Mathskillz=1,Socialskillz=0, Fri 29 May 2009, 10:49, Reply)

Relevant verbage from the contract
7.2.3. A Cancellation Charge won’t apply if You are within the Minimum term and:
7.2.3.1. Our entitlement to operate the Network ends at any time; or
7.2.3.2. You are a Consumer and the change that We gave You Written Notice of in point 2.11.2 or 7.1.4 above is of material detriment to You and You give Us notice to immediately cancel this Agreement before the change takes effect;
(b3tamax Mate, you're fat and I'll throw you in the river, Fri 29 May 2009, 10:56, Reply)

Hmm
If 7.2.3.2 is in your contract I'd suggest getting on the blower to the mobile phone company and suggest that they shove their contract, sideways, with the assistance of a blast of compressed air.
(Eds Meds Mathskillz=1,Socialskillz=0, Fri 29 May 2009, 10:58, Reply)

I'm sure The Consumerist had a thing about this
www.consumerist.com

I think the gist was that the mobile phone companies took the position that because the contract mentioned they could do this it didn't count, but if you just stuck at it on the phone with their terminations department they eventually gave up.

But I might be misremembering.
( The Light in Chains don't touch the Pope's boner, Fri 29 May 2009, 10:55, Reply)

Oh dear god!
Don't ask InternetLawyerMan.

I've met him. He's mental.
( thealternativefact, Fri 29 May 2009, 10:56, Reply)