Phone companies and telecom / internet providers increasing charges by inflation plus 3.9% even if you are on a contract

[cakeorwine]

Because they can. In their terms and conditions.

Inflation is 5.4%. Plus 3.9% so that's 9.3% increase. On top of everything else.

Time to negotiate as I am out of contract on my mobile phone.

www.which.co.uk/news/2022/01/mobile-network-price-rises-which-providers-are-best-and-worst-for-inflation-2/

Mid contract price rises have taken various forms, with some increasing the price by inflation only, and others attaching a fixed percentage alongside inflation. This is likely due to the low rates of inflation in recent years. Last year, ID Mobile, O2 and Virgin Mobile raised their prices just by the RPI inflation.

However, this year only ID Mobile kept this increase. O2 and Virgin Mobile will now increase their prices by RPI inflation (which is 7.5% at the time of writing) plus 3.9%

As with last year, BT mobile, EE, Plusnet mobile and Vodafone are increasing their prices by consumer price inflation plus 3.9%.

They are also having to pay the huge rise in Electricity, and they do use a lot of it.

@Ifailed

They are also having to pay the huge rise in Electricity, and they do use a lot of it.

Inflation PLUS 3.9%

Which has been a thing since 2020 or thereabouts.

I bet many people don't know about this small print in their contract

www.plus.net/help/legal/2022-pricing-changes-faq/

As we're only putting up the price of broadband, line rental, call plans and call charges in line with the CPI plus 3.9%, if you choose to cancel because of this, you'll still need to pay any early termination charges if you're still within your minimum term.

This is because the amount we can increase your price by is fixed to any increase in CPI plus 3.9% and we'll have made the price increase clear when you signed up and you'll have agreed to it in our terms and conditions.

Anyway, I am out of contract with my providers so look forward to some negotiating.

Usually works.

@cakeorwine

Anyway, I am out of contract with my providers so look forward to some negotiating.

Usually works.

For those of us for whom this has never worked, is there a guide that you recommend, please?

For those of us for whom this has never worked, is there a guide that you recommend, please

Do your homework.
Do a web chat
Say you are thinking of leaving
Usually they offer you a better deal.

At that point, I usually take it. But I think some people could go further and ask for a PAC code.

All depends on how much you are prepared to barter and what you could be saving.

If you’re out of contract, just switch to someone like giffgaff or Plusnet on a 30-day rolling contract.
(Giffgaff is £10 for 15GB and they often increase their provision instead of their prices.)

(Giffgaff just for mobile service though)

How much are you paying for your mobile?
I only pay £10 a month. I don't need much data as I'm wfh.
All messages go via WA or messenger.

Yeah I’m annoyed at the fixed percentage on top of the RPI increase. Surely that’s just about increasing profit? I was paying £84 for two contracts so I’ll notice the increase.

@HumourReplacementTherapy

How much are you paying for your mobile? I only pay £10 a month. I don't need much data as I'm wfh. All messages go via WA or messenger.

I'm not too bothered about the mobile costs.

But I am sure other people will be impacted by the increases with the BT / Plus Net / Sky / Talk Talk increases on home broadband and other services

www.ispreview.co.uk/index.php/2022/01/big-uk-broadband-isps-can-now-confirm-huge-2022-price-hikes.html