Irish Households to Receive Refunds from Sky Following Overcharges Affecting Thousands
Thousands of households in Ireland are set to receive refunds from Sky due to pricing errors affecting broadband customers. The company identified that some of its broadband users, including those with bundled TV services, were charged higher rates for over a year without proper notification.
Price Increase Error Affects Customers
Sky acknowledged that an internal review revealed the errors in contract-change notifications. This oversight led to less than 1% of its estimated 260,000 broadband customers experiencing unnotified price increases. The average overcharge per affected customer is approximately €50.
Refund Process for Affected Customers
To rectify this situation, Sky will apply credits to the accounts of impacted customers. A spokesperson for the company stated that if a customer had switched providers, the refund would be processed using the last payment method on file. If that method is no longer valid, Sky assured customers that a cheque will be issued to ensure they receive their funds.
Future Price Increases
Despite the refunds, Sky has notified customers that their package prices will rise starting in January 2026. This ongoing price adjustment has raised concerns among customers regarding transparency in billing.
Regulatory Compliance and Responsibilities
According to a representative from ComReg, telecom service providers like Sky must inform customers of any changes to contract terms, including price adjustments. They are required to provide at least one month’s notice and inform customers about their rights regarding contract termination without penalties.
- Refunds will be credited for the unnotified price increases.
- Affected customers: approximately 1% of 260,000 broadband users.
- Average refund amount: €50 per customer.
- Future price increases will apply from January 2026.
This situation underscores the importance of clarity and communication between service providers and their customers in Ireland’s telecommunication market.
