Question by Jimmy: Can I break a contract for mobile broadband if the connection is rubbish?
I signed up for 3 mobile broadband in Ireland on a 12 month contract for 20 euro a month. When I was signing up I was told that my area had excellent coverage so I would get reliable fast download speeds. But its really slow and unreliable half the time I can’t even get a connection.
Can I break the contract because the service is so poor and how would I go about doing this legally? I don’t want my credit rating affected
Best answer:
Answer by Colanth
Only if you have it in writing that where you are (and the location has to be specifically spelled out) *will* have excellent coverage (and “excellent” is defined.)
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{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
A contract is a contract and you have agreed to it for a set period of time If you were to break it you may still have to pay for it for the remainder of the contract and will find it difficult to get your line released to transfer to a new provider.
Unless of course the service provider is found to be in breach of the contract
You can but unfortunately if you don’t want any credit rating hassle it will most likely cost you more than waiting for your contract to run out.
If you are adamant on breaking the contract, the best way of doing it is to seek advise from Citizens Advice or a solicitor. Explain your situation and stand firm on the fact that you were sold this contract under false pretences, since otherwise you would not have signed up for this service.
Prior to that however try this as it may cost less and achieve the same thing. Contact 3 mobile and explain your situation. Explain the problem with the unreliable service, then explain that you are not only unhappy with the service but you are also considering seeking legal advise in due course because you are looking at terminating the contract. Remind them that you were sold the product under false pretences in which case it makes the contract invalid.
They will either do something or offer a compromise. Just don’t lose your temper, remain polite and whatever you do don’t blame the call centre staff for the problems of their employer.