Britons have a “difficult pill to swallow” as broadband bills are expected to rise by as mush as 8.8 per cent in the coming months.
Among the providers hiking the cost of their services include Virgin Media and O2, Sky and NOW, Vodafone, BT and TalkTalk.
Here is a breakdown of the upcoming price hikes from the country’s largest broadband providers, according to Go.Compare:
- Sky and NOW - 6.7 per cent average increase across some broadband, phone and TV packages.
- Virgin Media and O2: - 8.8 per cent increase (New customers who joined after Feb 8th, 2024, are exempt until April 2025).
- Vodafone: 7.9 per cent increase.
- BT: 7.9 per cent increase.
- TalkTalk: 7.7 per cent increase.
Do you have a money story you’d like to share? Get in touch by emailing money@gbnews.uk.
Broadband bills are rising - but by how much?
GETTY
Catherine Hiley, a broadband spokesperson at Go.Compare, contextualised the pending increase to broadband bills within the cost of living crisis and the ongoing issue of inflation.
She explained: “While the price hikes expected this April aren’t as high as those we saw in 2023, these increases are still a difficult pill to swallow when consumers are facing increased energy bills, mortgage payments and other outgoings.”
The price comparison website is urging customers out of contact with their current broadband provider to review the market.
Consumers in the UK may still be able to find a better deal elsewhere for the same quality of broadband service.
Hiley added: “Anyone who is out of their contract with their current provider can switch easily, and without being penalised.
“These bill payers could already be paying a lot more than they should be for their broadband, even without the additional hikes so it’s absolutely worth doing a comparison to see how your current deal stacks up.
“For those who are still in a contract, price increases are unfortunately written into broadband agreements.”
Despite this, Go.Compare recommends households still review the terms of their existing agreement and contact their provider if they are unable.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:
BT Broadband, TalkTalk, Plusnet price rises revealed: How much more will YOU pay this year?This is because families may have a chance of being able to successfully haggle over the price rise or enquire about an early termination fee.
Certain broadband providers add an early termination fee into their contracts to stop people leaving providers.
However, Hiley believes that it “may still be worthwhile” to pay off this charge and switch to a better deal.
This year’s price increases from broadband providers will be applied to household bills from April 2024.