BT and EE confirm broadband and mobile price rises: find out if you’re affected
BT and its subsidiary, EE, has confirmed that many of its broadband and mobile phone customers will yet again see inflation-based prices rises this spring - expected to be 7.9%
The providers will be basing their price rises on the Consumer Price Index rate of inflation announced this morning (4%), plus an additional 3.9%.
These price rises come despite Which? calling for telecoms firms to halt plans for ‘unconscionable’ price rises in April, and regulator Ofcom proposing a ban on inflation-linked mid-contract price rises.
How are BT and EE’s prices changing this year?
BT’s price rises will affect most broadband and mobile customers who have taken out a contract with BT since 2020, increasing the amount they pay by 7.9%. Given many of these customers already saw their broadband bills increase by nearly 14% last year, this is another blow for those looking to keep spiralling costs under control.
Whether you’re with BT or another provider, use our price rise calculator tool below to see how much your bills may be affected in April.
Mobile and broadband price rise calculator
Use our free tool to find out how much your broadband or mobile bill could increase in April, as a result of the confusing inflation-linked price hikes we're campaigning against.
Who is your mobile or broadband provider?
What is your current monthly payment for this service?
*If your mobile bill shows a separate cost for your airtime (data, minutes and messages), use this figure.
£
Fortunately, customers of BT and EE’s broadband social tariffs will not see any change in the cost of their deal. Read our guide to social tariffs for more information, and to see if you are eligible.
Can I leave my BT or EE contract if my price goes up?
Unfortunately, if you’re within the minimum term of your contract you’re unlikely to be able to avoid these price increases. This is because they're included in the T&Cs – BT and EE have to let you know that your price will rise when you take out a new contract. That means the only alternative to these price increases can often be a hefty exit fee, which can exceed £200.
However, if you’re out of contract you don’t have to accept any price increase – you’re free to ditch your provider and switch at any time. Use our broadband comparison service to explore new broadband deals available where you live, to see if you can find a better deal.
And, if you’re within your minimum contract term and have concerns about being able to pay your bills, speak to your provider. BT and EE have both made commitments to support customers struggling with the cost of their service.
Mid-contract price rises coming to an end
Following campaigning from Which?, regulator Ofcom announced it is planning to ban mid-contract price rises that are linked to inflation. Ofcom’s review of the pricing practice concluded that inflation-linked mid-contract price rise terms can cause substantial consumer harm by making it more complicated to choose a broadband or mobile deal, limiting consumer engagement in the market and reducing competition in the industry.
The regulator’s finding comes after a Which? campaign called for unpredictable mid-contract price rises to be banned, and for providers to voluntarily end the practice.
Alongside its announcement confirming that its inflation-based price rises would go ahead in spring, BT has also confirmed that from summer it will introduce a new price rise model that clarifies exactly how much more people can expect to pay each year in pounds and pence. So far it has said that new and recontracting mobile customers could expect annual increases to begin at £1.50 per month, while broadband customers could expect at least £3 to be added to their monthly bills each year.
Rocio Concha, Which? Director of Policy and Advocacy, said: 'While it's positive that BT is finally calling time on unpredictable inflation-linked price rises, it would be cynical to try to claim too much credit for a change they would likely have been forced to make later this year by Ofcom - after years of charging customers above-inflation price hikes that reached double digits at the height of the cost of living crisis. Meanwhile, new BT customers signing up between now and this summer will still be hit by unfair and unpredictable price hikes.
'BT appears to be using this price change announcement as cover for the shameless decision to press ahead with yet another inflation-busting price increase this April, even after the regulator found this practice causes ‘substantial harm’ to broadband and mobile users.
'It is within BT and other providers' power to cancel plans to go for one last cash grab from customers using unfair and discredited above-inflation price hikes this year. They must do so and then commit to ensuring no-one faces unpredictable price increases in future.'
We're demanding big broadband and mobile phone providers drop hikes buried in the terms and conditions. Agree? Sign the petition.
