Business

Spark broadband price rise a fair trading breach - ComCom

22:55 pm on 25 May 2019

The Commerce Commission says Spark appears to have breached the Fair Trading Act when it notified customers of a broadband price rise last year.

Photo: RNZ / Kim Baker Wilson

The commission investigated statements made by the telco on its website and in emails last August and September which told customers the price of its copper broadband plans was going up by $5 a month.

Spark's terms and conditions required that it not change the monthly charge without either gaining the customers' consent or giving them the option to cancel their contract without early termination fees, the commission said.

That was not explained to customers when they were notified of the price rise.