Virgin Media broadband clients urged to ‘test | U.Okay.Finance Information
Virgin Media broadband clients are being urged to test their contracts earlier than payments are hiked by 7.5% in April.
This increase comes as half of Virgin Media’s annual mid-contract price rises.
Whereas Ofcom banned telecom companies from tying mid-contract price hikes to inflation from January 17, the principles usually solely apply to new clients.
This implies clients who took out contracts earlier than sure dates nonetheless face bigger inflation-linked will increase primarily based on the outdated guidelines.
Ernest Doku, telecoms skilled at Uswitch.com stated January’s Retail Value Index (RPI) announcement heralds “bad news” for almost all of Virgin Media clients, because it means their broadband payments will soar by 7.5% in April. In response to the comparability web site, Virgin Media is one of the primary suppliers to hyperlink price will increase to the RPI.
Mr Doku stated: “Virgin Media broadband customers paying the average broadband cost of £355 per year will see their bills rise by £26.”
For Virgin Media clients, this inflation-linked increase solely applies to those that took out their contract earlier than January 9, 2025.
Clients who took out a Virgin Media contract after January 9 might be subject to Ofcom’s new ‘pounds and pence’ price rise guidelines.
This may quantity to £3.50 per 30 days for broadband clients, which Mr Doku stated “make these the steepest of providers’ mid-contract price rises this cycle.”
Nonetheless, the telecoms skilled urged people to test their contracts, as they can keep away from the hike.
He stated: “If you’re one of the estimated two million Virgin Media customers who are out of contract or coming to the end of your existing mobile or broadband deal, you don’t need to put up with price rises.
“The launch of One Touch Switch means it’s never been easier for broadband customers to vote with their feet and switch providers.”
The ‘One Touch Switch’ process, launched by Ofcom, means broadband customers only need to contact their new provider to make the change.
Mr Doku continued: “Smaller, regional broadband providers like Hyperoptic and Trooli don’t raise their prices mid-contract, and customers can save on average £181 a year by switching providers.
Mr Doku added: “You don’t have to let price hikes slide – it only takes a few minutes to run a comparison and see what other options are out there.”
Specific.co.uk has contacted Virgin Media for remark.
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