Millions of UK internet and mobile phone customers are set to see price hikes of 17.3 per cent as the spring rolls in.
Under current rules, telecom companies have the option to increase their prices mid-contract in line with inflation. They can also add up to 3.9 per cent extra on top of this.
The rate of CPI inflation for December or RPI of January are usually used to decide upon these rises when March and April rolls around.
Read more: Millions of UK internet users warned as major providers set to hike prices in April
The Mirror reports that CPI inflation for December stood at 10.5 per cent and some companies will increase bills by this amount - with 3.9 per cent extra on top, this means some firms will hike prices by 14.4 per cent. Meanwhile, the rate of RPI for January was today announced to be 13.4 per cent - meaning possible rises of 17.3 per cent if you include the additional 3.9 per cent.
Here are all the major providers that have confirmed how much their bills are going up by - and when.
BT
BT has confirmed 'the majority' of its broadband and landline customers will see prices rise by 14.4 per cent (CPI plus 3.9 per cent) from March 31, 2023. This increase will also apply to all mobile and TV customers from the same date.
The telecoms company said it is freezing prices for certain packages - including its BT Home Essentials, BT Basic and Home Phone Saver deals.
EE
If you’re an EE broadband, landline or mobile customer, your bill will also rise by 14.4 per cent (CPI plus 3.9 per cent). This is because EE is owned by BT Group.
These price rises will also come into effect from March 31, 2023. Anyone on the EE Mobile Basics or a pay-as-you go deal will see their prices frozen - so your bill won’t rise this year.
GiffGaff
No price change announced for mobile customers today.
O2
O2 customers will be hit with price hikes of up to 17.3 per cent the airtime part of their bill - so what you pay for minutes, texts and data. This is separate to what you pay for your handset. Customers who are mid-contract will see their airtime bill increase from April 1, 2023.
As the increase is just on your airtime bill, the overall extra cost will be less than 17.3 per cent - O2 told The Mirror the average hike will be around 10 per cent.
Anyone who took out a new deal or upgraded before this time will see their bill go up in line with just RPI of 13.4 per cent.
Plusnet
Plusnet is also owned by BT Group - so prices for broadband, landline and mobile customers will go up by 14.4 per cent (CPI plus 3.9 per cent). This will kick in from March 31, 2023.
If you're a broadband and landline customer who signed up before October 7, 2020, the 14.4 per cent increase will only apply to call costs, but when your contract expires, the increase will apply against your entire bill.
TalkTalk
TalkTalk broadband and landline customers will see their bills go up by 14.2 per cent (CPI plus 3.7 per cent) from April 1, 2023. If you're a Fixed Price Plus customer who is out of their minimum contract period, your bill will rise by 10.5 per cent in line with inflation.
TalkTalk says it will protect 'vulnerable' customers from price rises by freezing the price of their current bill.
Tesco
No price change announced for mobile customers today.
Three
If you're a Three customer, how much your bill will rise by largely depends on when you took out a contract with the company. Your bill will go up by 14.4 per cent (CPI plus 3.9 per cent) from April 1, 2023, for broadband and mobile customers who joined or upgraded from November 1, 2022.
Three said 'the majority' of its contract customers will see bills increase by 4.5 per cent. This applies to customers who joined between October 29, 2020 and October 21, 2022.
Broadband and mobile users who signed up before October 29, 2020 and haven't upgraded will be subject to price rises in line with the January RPI figure.
Sky
Sky is hiking its broadband and TV prices by 8.1 per cent on average for millions of customers from April 1, 2023. Customers who are signed up to a cheaper Sky social tariff won't be affected by the price increases.
Sky Glass and Stream customers who are in contract also won't see their bills rise while they are still in their contract period. Sky Mobile users who are out of contract will see their prices rise by 9 per cent on average from February 14.
The telecoms giant told The Mirror the average bill rise will be £1 a month - so £12 a year. If you're still in contract with Sky Mobile, your price won't change as Sky has a promise not to introduce mid-contract price rises.
Virgin
Virgin Mobile customers will see their airtime bill - what you pay for minutes, texts and data - rise by 17.3 per cent from April 1, 2023. The handset part of your bill will remain at the same price.
Like with O2 customers - as O2 and Virgin are part of the same company - the actual overall increase you pay will be less than 17.3 per cent. This is due to how bills are split up, with the price rise only affecting the airtime part of what you pay.
Anyone who took out a new deal or upgraded before this time will see their bill go up in line with just RPI of 13.4 per cent. Virgin Media customers with broadband, landline and TV will see their prices go up by 13.8 per cent on average from April or May.
Most vulnerable users will not see their prices change in 2023. This includes those on our Essential Broadband packages, as well as Talk Protected landline customers.
Vodafone
No price change announced for mobile customers today.
VOXI
No price change announced for mobile customers today.
To get the latest money news direct to your inbox, click here.
Read next:
- Martin Lewis warns of broadband price rises and explains how to lower your bills
- Martin Lewis issues urgent warning to energy bill payers - as woman saves thousands
Martin Lewis' MoneySavingExpert urges people to check if they are overpaying for NHS prescriptions
DWP sets out new PIP, DLA, Attendance Allowance and Carer's Allowance rates from April 2023
How you can save hundreds of pounds on mobile phone and TV contracts through simple checks
