Virgin Media to increase prices by 5.1% from November

Virgin Media customers will see bills rise by up to £42 a year. Find out how you can fight back.

Over five million customers Virgin Media customers will see their bills rise by an average of 5.1% from November 2016.

Virgin Media says the price hike – the third it has announced this year – is needed to continue investing in its ultra-fast broadband network.  

TV packages will rise by up to £3.49 per month and line rental will jump by £1.01 to £19 per month. This means that some customers will have to pay up to £42 more a year under the changes.

The firm is in the process of writing to customers to inform them of the price increases. 

Gregor McNeil, consumer managing director at Virgin Media, said: “At Virgin Media our customers are getting more: faster broadband, an upgraded TV service including a greater choice of box sets and the only place where you can watch all the live footballing action from both Sky and BT Sport in a single package."

Here’s how the price hikes break down:

Source: Virgin Media

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In February, Virgin Media increased prices (including line rental) by an average of 5.4% for 4.4 million customers.

It put up prices again in June for some TV packages which have Sky Sports and Sky Movies. 

How to fight back

Under rules set by Ofcom, existing customers are allowed to leave penalty-free if they’re unhappy with the hike if they joined after January 23 2014. 

Customers who want to leave have 30 days from the date they receive details about the price change to cancel.

If you’re fed up and looking to cust costs, there are a few options available to you.

Start off by haggling. Here are the important numbers you need:

Virgin Media Cable

Virgin Media phone or mobile: 150

Any other phone: 0345 454 1111

All other Virgin Media customers

National customers on Virgin Media phone or mobile: 150

National customers on any other phone: 0345 454 2222

Remember the basics – avoid calling at busy times of the day and month, make sure that you’re firm but not aggressive and threaten to cancel if you can’t get any perks or discounts on your current deal.

Read more at How to haggle and save a fortune.

Loyalty never pays with contracts so it might even be worth leaving Virgin, coming back after a minimum of three months (when you’ll be considered a new customer) and bagging a top introductory offer!

Read the small print on your current contract very carefully though. There could be punitive exit fees which may cancel out any perks you get from re-joining as a new customer.

You can also shave a bit off your costs by opting for paperless billing or paying a year’s line rental upfront.

Even referring a friend will get you £50 off you and your mate's next bill.

Failing that, you might just want to switch provider altogether. Have a look at How to switch your phone, broadband and TV packages for more advice. 

Alternatively you can compare the best deals in your area with broadbandchoices.co.uk

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