Millions of mobile phone and broadband users across the country will see their bills rise dramatically in April.
Providers usually raise their prices mid-contract in line with either January's consumer price index (CPI) or the retail price index (RPI) which were recorded at 10.5 per cent and 13.4 per cent. However, some customers could see their bills rise by as much as 17.3 per cent depending on their contract and provider.
It is just one among many other price rises that are expected to come flooding in April, such as energy bills, council tax, groceries, and water. Fortunately, there are ways you could be able to save money on your energy bill ahead of the price increases.
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Here's some tips that could help you save money on your phone and broadband costs next week...
See if you're eligible for a cheaper deal
It's always worth checking with your provider to see if you're eligible for a cheaper contract or if you can cancel your contract to find a cheaper option. In some cases you may be able to cancel your contract without paying a fee.
If your provider has informed you that your bill will go up, you may be able to cancel your contract without paying a fee within 30 days of the notification.
Unfortunately, you won't be able to cancel your contract without paying a fee if you signed up for it before January 23, 2014 or f you were told at the start of the contact that prices would be going up (this is often the case for discounted contracts).
You can contact your provider with the following details:
EE
If you have an EE device, you can dial 150. Otherwise, you can dial 0800 956 6134.
Vodafone
If you have a Vodafone device you can dial 191. Otherwise, you can dial 0333 304 0191.
BT
If you have a BT Mobile device you can dial 150. Otherwise, you can dial 0330 1234 150.
O2
If you have an O2 device, you can dial 202. Otherwise, you can dial 0344 809 0202.
Sky Mobile
For more info on cancelling a Sky Mobile contract, you can text INFO and your date of birth to 85075. Otherwise, you can dial 03300 412 524.
Virgin Mobile
If you have a Virgin Media landline or mobile, you can dial 789. Otherwise, you can dial 0345 600 0789
Social tariff for benefit claimants
If you receive payments from benefits, you may be eligible for a 'social tariff' which provide cheaper internet and mobile deals. If you are eligible for a social tariff and your provider offers it, then you can switch to it at any time without waiting for your current contract to end.
Some of the biggest mobile providers which have a social tariff on offer include BT, EE, NOW, Sky, Virgin Media, Vodafone, and VOXI. For more details on the eligibility criteria and price of these tariffs, you can search on the Ofcom website.
Leave your contract early
If you want to leave your contract early, it's vital that you check the terms and conditions of your current contract. There is a chance that you may need permission from your provider to leave early as well as pay a fee.
Often a leaving fee will include the total sum of the remainder of your contract, so this may not be a viable option if you're in the early stages of your contract.
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