SEVERAL major broadband providers have scrapped April's mid contract price rises for customers who sign up to a new deal from today.
BT, EE, Plusnet, Virgin Media, and Vodafone have confirmed that customers entering into new broadband or bundled TV agreements from today, and ahead of spring, will not face the usual price increases this year.
Instead, their first price rise will take effect at the end of March or the beginning of April in 2026.
Previously, customers entering into new broadband and/or TV agreements would have faced price hikes both this spring and the next.
For example, prior to this change, BT's 900Mbps broadband package - currently priced at £40.99 per month - was set to rise to £43.99 "from 31 March 2025" and then to £46.99 "from March 31 2026".
However, new customers enquiring about the same package are now being informed on the provider's website that they will only face a price rise from March 31, 2026.
EE, Plusnet, Virgin Media, and Vodafone have also adopted similar measures.
This change makes it an ideal time for those out of contract to shop around for a better deal, while also avoiding this year's mid-contract price hike.
According to Ofcom's latest research, approximately 32% of bundled broadband and pay-TV customers were out of contract as of the end of June 2024.
Most households are usually aware that switching providers can be the best way to cut down on costs.
But ditching and switching to a new service isn't necessarily needed, if you'd rather stay with your own provider.
Haggling for a new offer is the best starting point for cutting down your broadband bills.
How do I haggle with my provider?
Haggling down your bill is easy, and it shouldn't affect your current contract.
Call your telecom company and say you're unhappy with the price.
You can tell them you've found a better price somewhere else or that, as a loyal customer, you want to know if you can get a better deal.
The worst they can say is no, and you're no worse off, you'll know then that it's time to shop around for a cheaper deal.
The first thing to do is find out what the cheapest deal on the market is.
You can use this rate as a bargaining tool to get a better offer from your provider.
Visit comparison sites like Uswitch.com or Moneysavingexpert.com to do this, and find the best deals on the market.
Then contact your provider to see if they can match any better rates - if not, you might want to switch instead.
How do I switch providers?
Switching TV, broadband and landline providers has become significantly easier due to new rules introduced in September 2024.
Customers now only need to contact their new provider to make the switch, eliminating the need to deal with their current provider, even if they find a better deal elsewhere.
Since 2015, customers using Openreach's network – which includes providers like BT and Sky – have been able to switch by allowing their new provider to handle the process.
However, switching to or from providers like Virgin Media, which operates on its own independent network, previously required contacting the existing provider to arrange the change.
Ofcom's new "One Touch" rules have streamlined the process for all networks.
Now, customers switching services only need to liaise with their new provider, regardless of the network.
These rules also ensure that customers won't pay notice-period charges beyond the switch date, meaning they won’t be billed for overlapping services.
Additionally, providers are required to compensate customers for any issues during the switch, such as being left without service for more than one working day.
The amount of compensation will vary depending on the situation.
The new rules align broadband and TV switching with mobile switching.
Since 2019, mobile phone customers have been able to switch providers using the "text to switch" system, avoiding the hassle of calling their current network.
How are prices increasing for existing customers?
BT, which also owns EE and Plusnet, said that from March 2025, the price of mobile contracts will rise by £1.50 a month (SIM-only) or £4 (handset plans).
Broadband tariffs will go up by £3 a month and £2 for TV.
But, the provider has assured vulnerable customers on BT Home Essentials contracts that they will be exempt from any price rises.
The pounds and pence rise will apply to contracts taken out from April 10, 2024.
For those who took out a deal before this, a 6.4% rise will apply (3.9% and January's inflation rate, which was 2.5%).
Plusnet will also increase its broadband price by £3 per month from the end of March for contracts taken out after July 11, 2024.
For contracts started prior to this date, a 6.4% hike will apply.
Three has said broadband increases will be capped at £2 and mobile prices between £1 and £1.50 depending on the data allowance.
The pounds and pence rises will apply for contracts taken out after September 8, 2024.
For those before rises are set at 6.4% (3.9% and January's inflation rate, which was 2.5%).
Sky broadband and TV bills will rise by 6.2% from April 1.
While the new Ofcom rules require providers to specify future price rises in pounds and pence upfront, it only applies if they are linked to inflation.
Sky's are not, so it can go ahead with a percentage increase.
For example, if you currently pay £39 per month for Sky TV, Netflix, and Full Fibre 150 broadband, your bill will increase by £2.42, bringing the total to £41.42 a month.
The same rises will apply to NOW Broadband, which is owned by Sky.
If you're on a broadband and mobile social tariff, you won't see an increase to your bills because Sky and Now has frozen its tariffs.
Out of contract Sky Mobile customers will see bills rise by £1.50 a month this Spring.
Those in contract won't see a rise.
If you signed your Virgin Media contract before January 9, 2025, your price rise will be based on the Retail Price Index (RPI) inflation rate, which hit 3.6% in January.
There will also be an additional 3.9% increase set by the company.
This means many customers will see their bills rise by 7.5% from April 1.
For those who joined after January 9, 2025, Virgin Media has introduced a fixed annual increase of £3.50 per month.
Vodafone also uses December's CPI inflation rate, which is published in January to work out its mid-contract price hikes.
The Ofcom changes this year mean that depending on when Vodafone customers took out their contract, they will either see their prices rise by 2.5% plus 3.9%, so a total of 6.4% or a fixed rate of £3 for broadband, and between £1 and £1.80 for mobiles.
According to USwitch data the average monthly broadband price is £29.60 per month and the average mobile is £20.70.
This means that the average mobile customer will see a rise of £22.73 a year, while broadband bill payers will see a £15.90 increase - that's if they took out their contract before July 2, 2024.
For those whose contracts started after that date, their bills will increase by £36 and £21.60 respectively.
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