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

dailyrecord.co.uk:

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.

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