High Court orders Sky to inform customers when their contracts are ending

Sky argued that it was not obliged to inform its customers of the end of the contractual commitment and of the means by which to terminate the contract

Sky said it has noted the High Court ruling in relation to this issue. File picture: Chris Radburn/PA

Television and broadband provider Sky Ireland has been ordered by the High Court to inform its customers when their contracts with the company are coming to an end after being found in breach of EU regulations mandating such notifications.

The ruling comes following an investigation by the communications regulator ComReg which started in September 2024. The original investigation was into a number of the main electronic communication service providers regarding their compliance with EU regulations which require end of contract notifications, best tariff advice and best tariff information.

During the investigation, ComReg discovered that Sky Ireland had not complied with these obligations and failed to “inform its customers, in a prominent and timely manner and on a durable medium, of the end of the contractual commitment and of the means by which to terminate the contract”.

ComReg said Sky argued that it was not obliged to provide customers with this information as “its customers’ contracts were ‘contracts of an Indeterminate Duration’” and therefore were outside of the scope of the EU regulations.

“ComReg did not agree with this interpretation of the regulation on the basis that Sky’s contracts included a minimum contractual commitment period,” the regulator said.

Following this, ComReg brought a case before the High Court seeking orders to ensure Sky’s compliance with its obligations. The case was heard in early December.

High Court ruling

On February 11, the High Court granted a declaration that Sky failed to comply with its obligations under the regulations “by reason of its failing to inform its customers of the end of the contractual commitment and of the means by which to terminate the contract, by failing provide its customers best tariff advice relating to their services and by failing to provide its customers with best tariff information at least annually”.

The High Court ordered Sky to comply with its obligations.

Sky said it has noted the High Court ruling in relation to this issue.