The data network of mobile operator O2 left millions of customers without access to the internet on their phones. This also affected customers of Giffgaff, Lycamobile, Sky and Tesco, who use O2’s network.. o2 data issues

Consumers are more reliant than ever on access to the internet in their day-to-day lives, and rightfully expect it. It’s now time for Ofcom to consider whether affected customers should be automatically compensated for severe network outages.

O2 has now offered its customers:

• Pay-monthly customers, SMB business customers and mobile broadband customers two days of monthly airtime credit off their bill by the end of January.
• Pay-as-you-go customers a 10% credit on a top-up in the new year.
• Pay-as-you-go mobile broadband customers a 10% discount on a ‘bolt-on’ purchase in the new year.

Which? managing director of home products and services Alex Neill said: ‘It’s right that O2 compensates its customers for the frustrating network failure suffered by millions of customers. Anyone who suffered out-of-pocket expenses should make a claim to their mobile provider. ‘In addition, O2 needs to give its customers reassurances that it is taking measures to stop this from happening again. Connectivity is now such an integral part of our lives, it is time for the regulator to consider whether it should introduce automatic compensation for the inconvenience caused by severe outages.’

O2 said this morning that its 3G and 4G data services are now performing as normal and its technical teams are continuing to monitor service performance closely. Earlier today an O2 spokesperson said: ‘A review will be carried out with Ericsson to understand fully what happened. We’d like to thank our customers for their patience during the loss of service on Thursday 6 December and we’re sorry for any impact the issue may have caused

How O2, Sky, Tesco, Giffgaff and Lycamobile customers can claim compensation Under the Consumer Rights Act, you’re entitled to get a service provided with reasonable care and skill, and this includes the service from your mobile phone provider. If you were affected by the O2 outage, you can make a consequential loss claim if you can show you incurred reasonable losses and the cause of the outage was a failure to provide to provide the service with reasonable care and skill. You can do this if you are a consumer – for example, if you incurred expenses in order to use internet services for personal reasons. While you may also have a claim if you suffered losses as a business owner or while working, you wouldn’t be able to make this claim as a Consumer Rights Act claim – the Consumer Rights Act only applies to consumers.

If you are a customer of Giffgaff, Lycamobile, Sky and Tesco get in contact with your provider as they are required to provide you with the level of service they promise. o2 data issues

If you’re unhappy with the response from your provider, you can follow its formal complaints procedure. Details should be available through their website or customer services. If your problem is still unresolved after eight weeks you can submit your complaint to an independent Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) scheme. Ofcom has approved two ADR schemes for mobile phone service fault and problems – CISAS and Ombudsman Services: Communications.