Consumer group files compensation claim against BT over landline prices

British Telecom said Jan. 17 that it plans to defend itself "vigorously" against a lawsuit accusing it of engaging in anticompetitive practices toward landline-only customers.

Consumer group Collective Action on Land Lines filed a claim with the Competition Appeal Tribunal for £589 million, alleging the U.K. telecom operator has not properly addressed several years' worth of overcharging, Reuters reported.

In 2017, BT reduced its fixed line prices by £7 per month in response to concerns raised by U.K. communications regulator Ofcom.

The consumer group is now seeking compensation of up to £500 for each of the 2.3 million BT customers as well as compensation for broadband and landline customers who did not benefit from the company's 2017 price cut, according to the report.

BT said Ofcom had "made no finding of excessive pricing or breach of competition law more generally."