Landline and broadband customers who suffer poor service could get money back automatically under plans set out by the telecoms regulator, Ofcom.

Under the proposals, they would no longer have to "fight tooth and nail" to get "fair compensation", Ofcom said. The plan, which is now subject to consultation, could benefit up to 2.6 million customers, the regulator added. The payments would apply whenever services go wrong and are not fixed quickly enough. Slow repairs, missed deadlines and engineers' visits that fail to happen as promised would all be covered. Ofcom said up to £185m could be paid out as a result.

Cash or credit

"Customers would be entitled to automatic compensation, without having to go through a potentially lengthy and difficult claims process," the regulator said. They would receive either a cash payment or a credit on their bill, with the level of payments set by Ofcom....Read more here