Seven broadband and mobile providers in the UK have announced they will increase prices by up to 14.4% in the spring. The increase will help them keep up with inflation (which is over 10% in the UK) but will further hurt consumers who face higher prices across the board. Providers planning to raise prices include BT, EE, Plusnet, Shell, TalkTalk, Three, and Vodafone.
The increase in prices is due to increased operating costs due to regulatory requirements, higher energy prices, and higher network costs. Firms may raise such costs ostensibly to keep up with inflation, but people out of contract are being told to shop around on comparison websites to get a better deal. In some circumstances, your provider may inform you that you can cancel the intermediate contract within 30 days without penalty but it is unclear whether this will be offered as part of the price increase. Just be on the lookout for it.
Confirmed price increases are listed below, more are expected but information is not yet available:
| The provider |
How much will the prices increase? |
When the hike will come. |
|---|---|---|
|
Bt |
||
|
Broadband and landline customers who signed up after 31 August 2020, or who will be out of contract before 31 March 23 |
14.4% This is the December Consumer Price Index (CPI) figure of +3.9 percentage points. |
31 March 23 |
|
Broadband and landline customers who signed up before 1 Sep 20 and who will contract after 31 Mar 23 |
10.5% December CPI data |
31 March 23 |
|
All BT Mobile and TV customers |
14.4% December CPI data +3.9 percentage points |
31 March 23 |
|
Landline users only, and users on Home Essential, Basic or Home Phone Saver (which are plans for beneficiaries). |
No increase in prices. |
N/A |
|
EE |
||
| All broadband, landline and mobile customers (excluding exclusions below) | 14.4% December CPI data +3.9 percentage points |
31 March 23 |
|
Pay-as-you-go customers and EE Mobile Basics users (Basics is a plan for those who receive benefits) |
No increase in prices. |
N/A |
|
O2 |
||
|
Pay customers as they go. |
no change |
N/A |
|
Plusnet |
||
| Broadband and landline customers who signed up after 6 October 20 | 14.4% December CPI data +3.9 percentage points |
31 March 23 |
|
Broadband and landline customers who signed up before 7 October 20 |
14.4% December CPI data +3.9 percentage points Although this increase will be applicable only on call charges while within the fixed term of your contract. As soon as your contract ends, prices on your entire bill will increase by 14.4%. |
31 March 23 |
|
All Plus Net Mobile users |
14.4% December CPI data +3.9 percentage points |
31 March 23 |
|
Shell |
||
|
All broadband and landline customers |
Up to 13.5% (exact increase TBC) |
1 April 23 |
|
the sky |
||
|
Mobile users who are out of contract. |
9% (average) |
14 February 23 |
|
Mobile users who are on contract. |
No change in price. |
N/A |
|
Speak speak |
||
|
Broadband and landline customers (excluding exclusions below) |
14.2% December CPI data +3.7 percentage points |
1 April 23 |
|
Fixed Price Plus customers outside the minimum contract period |
10.5% December CPI data |
1 April 23 |
|
TalkTalk TV Add-on users |
TalkTalk does not use CPI inflation figures to increase prices on its TV packages. Last year, it increased prices from £4 a month to £5 a month. So far, it has not confirmed any price changes for this year. |
|
| TalkTalk’s “Most Vulnerable Customers” |
No change in price. |
N/A |
|
Three |
||
|
Broadband and mobile customers who joined between 29 Oct 20 and 31 Oct 22. |
4.5% |
1 April 23 |
|
Broadband and mobile customers who joined on or after 1 November 22. |
14.4% |
1 April 23 |
A surprising number of people don’t bother to see if they can get a cheaper broadband or mobile deal with another provider. In an article last August, Nevin reported on a citizens’ consultation calling for an end to digital loyalty penalties. Citizens Advice cites a shocking example where a woman called Tracey was paying £80 a month for her TV, landline, broadband and international calls package which she took out in 2006 and never paid. Didn’t bother to switch.
Highlighting the importance of switching, UK consumer group, Which?, said consumers should haggle or switch providers to save up to £162 a year on broadband, TV and mobile contracts. With the rising cost of living, it is more likely that people will try to switch just to meet their needs.
Source: Money saving expert
