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Daily Record
Daily Record
Lifestyle
Jacob Rawley

Broadband warning as millions urged to switch now to avoid price hikes

Broadband customers who are able to switch for a better deal are being advised to do so before huge price rises arrive next month.

Almost 11 million customers who may be out of their initial contract period are being urged to 'vote with their feet' as they face hikes of up to 17.3 percent in April.

Customers could switch to Vodafone, Virgin Media, Shell or TalkTalk as those who sign up in March won't be impacted by April 2023 price rises, confirms Uswitch.

Out of contract customers are free to switch for a better deal elsewhere, but many who are locked into a contract are not allowed to leave penalty-free - even if prices increase.

However, nearly seven million Sky and Virgin Media broadband customers could switch suppliers, as they're being given 30 days to leave penalty free after receiving a price rise notification.

Unlike many providers who have it locked into contracts, Sky and Virgin Media don’t set annual price increases in their terms and conditions but have still confirmed they will be raising prices this April.

It comes as millions of broadband users will be hit with price increases of as much as 3.9 percent above inflation levels.

Broadband customers are facing inflation-busting price hikes (Getty Images)

Ernest Doku, telecoms expert at Uswitch, comments: "Millions of mobile and broadband customers are either out of contract or will be soon, and facing the dilemma of whether to recontract before or after the April price rises.

"If your contract ends before April, now is the time to explore your options by comparing your current deal with what’s out there.

"You can switch now to avoid the impact of the April 2023 price rises entirely with providers such as Vodafone, Virgin Media, Shell and TalkTalk, if you find a broadband deal that suits you.

"It’s important to note that this will not shield you from price rises in 2024.

"Some providers, such as Hyperoptic and Cuckoo, have also gone one step further and committed to no mid-contract price increases at all, so it’s worth seeing if they cater to your local area."

Ernest adds that you should consider haggling where possible, stating: "You could also take the information around competitor prices and speeds back to your current provider and ask for a better deal.

"Providers will be keen to hang on to customers, so there’s often room for negotiation if you’re happy with their service - especially if you’re out of contract.

"Customers who find themselves facing rises should take this opportunity to vote with their feet."

The Uswitch advice comes as Ofcom launches a review to determine if broadband customers have enough clarity on mid-contract price rises as many face unprecedented inflation-busting increases.

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