Orange customers with a monthly contract will face a 4.34% increase in the cost of their plan. Users with a monthly payment of £35 will pay £36.50 form 8th January.

 The good news is that there will be no increase in the cost of calls, text messages  or internet access.

Consumer groups are said to be furious that exisiting customers are affected by the increase  as they can be tied to a contract for 18 months or longer.   Which Technology Editor Matt Bath was reported as saying ‘ This is a poor way to treat people. Existing  customers should  get the price that they signed up to for the remainder of their contract. Anyone who is fraustrated by this rise should complain to Orange and the regulator Ofcom’

There is also a big increase for Orange customers who have an IPhone and make a claim for a lost or damaged phone. They will now have to pay £50 instead of £15 excess payment for an Apple handset.

Customers should contact Orange to complain in the first instance and then complain to Ofcom.