New rules are to simplify mobile phone and internet contract terms and price comparisons across the European Union.

The changes will come into effect in December of this year.

Under these rules, providers of telephone, messaging or internet services must present all potential customers with a new contract summary - which will include "clear and simple information" about their contracts before they are signed.

The contract summary template has been created by the European Commission, and will be the same across the EU.

It will include information for consumers to make more informed choices - such as a description of the services, internet speeds, the contract's price, duration and renewal and termination terms.

The summary template is part of the new European Electronic Communications Code, which entered into force in December 2018.

It will become applicable in all member states as of December 21st 2020.

Image: European Commission

The contract summary is a standardised one page sheet - for one service - or up to three pages for a bundle.

The European Commission says the contract summary will help providers to "better present information about the main terms of the contract, so that consumers can better compare different offers for services prior to choosing their provider or service and prior to the conclusion of a contract."

Consumers can get the summary in a similar way as they can obtain the contract: e.g. on paper in a shop or online.

EU commissioner for the internal market, Thierry Breton, said: "With many different service providers available across the EU, it can often be hard for consumers to choose which provider can best meet their needs.

"The new contract summary will offer clear and comparable information about each service and contract, making it easier for them to make informed choices.

"Another step in helping Europeans enjoy all the opportunities of the internal market."

More information on the changes can be found here