Telcos told to cut the jargon on broadband and mobile

Great news for consumers. The Commerce Commission wants telcos to speak plainly and show the full costs on broadband and mobile plans so people can compare fairly.

What changes now

1. Providers must follow new product disclosure guidelines on price and fees.
2. They need to show a monthly average price when it differs from the headline price.
3. They must provide standard offer summaries so you can compare plans side by side.
4. Early termination fees must be clear up front and reduce over the life of the contract.
5. Customers should be able to see what they still owe at any time.

Why this matters

Kiwis said it is hard to know what they will actually pay each month. Some offers bill every 28 days, which means 13 bills a year. Others start cheap, then jump later, which can cost more over 12 months than a steady-price plan. The new guidelines aim to remove those surprises and make plans easier to compare.

Our take at NZ Compare

We are stoked about this. There has been too much confusion for years. On Broadband Compare, we already go further than the basics when we rank plans.

Our comparison includes:

• Set-up fees
• Router costs
• Post and packaging fees
• Customer reviews

And more, all rolled into the Broadband Compare algorithm to show true value, not just a teaser price.

Clear, consistent info means better choices. Use NZ Compare to check your options, see the real monthly cost, and pick a plan that suits your budget with no nasty surprises.

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