Tell us what’s on your mind
Right for Microsoft to stop updates on old PCs
Microsoft doesn’t often deserve to be defended, but there’s nothing wrong with its decision to prevent computers without POPCNT running updated versions of Windows 11 (Issue 678, page 6). More or less every computer made in the past 15 years has got POPCNT. At some point it’s perfectly valid of Microsoft to draw a line and demand that computers must meet certain modern standards.
This isn’t progress for the sake of it. This is a balanced decision to make sure modern operating systems run smoothly and safely. It’s highly unlikely to lead to millions of machines being chucked into landfill.
Roger Shaw
Broadband firms must tell you total and average price
I’m cautiously optimistic that Ofcom will be firm enough to ban mid-contract price rises linked to inflation (Issue 678, page 7), but it needs to go much further. When you’ve signed up to a contract, the provider should have to give you the total cost over the entire contract period, and also what the average cost is per month. They should also have to tell you exactly when prices will increase and by how much.
An example of this would be something like: ‘Your 18-month contract will cost you £30 for 12 months, and increase by 10 per cent to £33 on 1 April 2025 for another six months. You’ll end up paying £558 by the end of the contract at an average of £31 a month. At the end of the contract you’ll be moved to a £40 rolling contract.’
Without such detailed information it’s impossible to compare services with any degree of confidence.
Steve Jevons
I’ve got bad news for anyone who thinks that broadband firms being banned from linking price rises to inflation means future increases will be more affordable. Broadband is now such a necessity – and switching is such a hassle – that companies know they can impose above-inflation rises without losing customers. They are the new train companies, who increase ticket prices by above the rate of inflation every year knowing passengers have no choice but to suck it up.
Graeme McPherson
Ring’s 43% price rise is ‘preposterous’
I don’t think Roy Maddison needs to worry about Ring’s new video-sharing feature being a ‘curtain-twitcher’s paradise’ (Star Letter, Issue 678). Ring is bound to lose thousands of customers after putting up its subscription by a preposterous 43 per cent. I’m partial to a bit of curtain-twitching myself, but no way am I accepting a price rise
