Sky says it believes its done nothing wrong, despite an Ofcom investigation finding the broadcaster in breach of end-of-contract notifications to its pay-TV customers.
Under rules introduced by the UK regulator in February 2020, broadband, mobile, home phone and pay-TV companies were required to issue end-of-contract (ECN) notices 10 to 40 days before the end of their current deal came to end.
It’s estimated 3.5 million customers to Sky were not told they were now free to look around for another supplier.
Ofcom has now issued a Confirmation Decision to Sky under section 96C of the Communications Act 2003. Its ordered Sky to “take all necessary steps to comply with its regulatory obligations” to issue the ECNs over the 9 months following its decision.
Sky must also provide Ofcom with a status update in 4 months’ time.
However, a spokesperson for Sky told Broadband TV News: “We continue to believe Sky’s Pay TV service is not an electronic communication service under the legal definition in the Communications Act 2003, but we note the outcome of Ofcom’s investigation. We look forward to working with Ofcom to seek a legal review.”
A full version of the Ofcom decision is expected in the next few days.
