Major Broadband Providers Announce Bill Increases: How Much Will You Pay?
Telecom companies will raise prices for millions of broadband and mobile customers by up to 14.4% starting this spring. These increases are allowed under current rules, which permit companies to raise prices in line with inflation, plus an additional 4%. The rate of Consumer Prices Index (CPI) inflation for December or Retail Price Index (RPI) for January are used to determine these price hikes. Some companies will raise bills by 10.5% (CPI inflation for December) plus an additional 3.9%, resulting in bills increasing by up to 14.4%. If you are out of contract and unhappy with the price increases, there are ways to lower your bill.
Here is a summary of the major providers and the confirmed increases in their bills, along with the effective date:
BT
BT announced that prices for the majority of its broadband and fixed-line customers will increase by 14.4% (CPI up 3.9%) from March 31, 2023. This increase applies to all mobile and TV customers from the same date. The telecom company said it was freezing prices on certain packages – including its BT Home Essentials, BT Basic and Home Phone Saver offerings.
EE
If you are a subscriber of EE broadband, whether it be fixed or mobile, your bill will increase by 14.4% (3.9% on top of Consumer Prices Index) effective March 31, 2023. This is due to EE being owned by BT Group. Customers using EE Mobile Basics or pay-as-you-go plans will not be affected by this increase as their prices will be frozen.
Plusnet
Plusnet is owned by BT Group – so prices for broadband, fixed and mobile subscribers are set to rise by 14.4% effective from March 31, 2023. If you signed up before October 7, 2020 and are broadband and landline subscribers then the 14.4% increase applies to call costs only. But when your contract expires, the increase will be applied to your entire bill.
TalkTalk
From April 1st, TalkTalk broadband and landline customers will experience a 14.2% increase in their bills, resulting from a combination of Consumer Prices Index (CPI) and an additional 3.7%. However, for customers who are out of their minimum contract period and are on the Fixed Price Plus plan, their bills will rise by only 10.5% in line with inflation. TalkTalk has also announced that it will protect “vulnerable” customers from these price increases by keeping their current bills at the same price.
Three
As a Three customer, the amount your bill will increase depends on when you signed your contract. For those who joined or upgraded from November 1, 2022, bills will rise by 14.4% (CPI plus 3.9%) effective April 1st. The majority of contract customers who joined between October 29, 2020 and October 21, 2022 will see a 4.5% increase in their bills. Broadband and mobile users who signed up before October 29, 2020 and did not upgrade are subject to price increases based on the January RPI figure.
Virgin
Virgin told The Mirror that all mobile customers will see their airtime plan increase by the January RPI rate plus 3.9% from April. This means you’ll know how much your bill will go up by next month, when the January RPI figure is released. Company spokesperson confirmed that no broadband changes have been announced today.
Other major providers like Tesco, Vodafone, O2, VOXI, and GiffGaff have not yet announced any changes to their prices.
Tip: Remember that Altnets often supply broadband at significantly cheaper prices with promises of fixed prices for the duration of the term. Use our search to find an ISP in your area.
