Ofcom, the telecommunications regulator of the United Kingdom has reportedly banned the broadband and mobile phone contracts in the United Kingdom that extend to 3 years or more. The newly set maximum length for a contract now is two years.

If this is good news for someone it is absolutely the consumer, who otherwise may have been forced into signing up for a 36 month contract, alongside the promise of one of the top smartphones of the market with a less amount to be paid every month.

However, in a fast moving market such as the one in the United Kingdom three years can be considered as a long period and smartphones can turn obsolete in as early as a year.

It is also worth noting that the regulator thought the customers were prevented by lengthier mobile phone contracts from switching to other suppliers that may be offering a more economical package.

For the consumers that are averse to signing up for any lengthy deal the regulator has announced that twelve month deals must be offered by mobile phone networks that will now be bringing the United Kingdom in line with the European Union regulations.