We're using the Internet more, so Virgin Media says it's hiking prices to invest in a faster network. Read on to find out how to beat the hikes.
Virgin Media is hiking the cost of its phone, broadband and TV services from 1 November 2017.
The change will impact around five million existing customers who will have to pay up to £3.99 a month more, adding nearly £48 a year to household bills.
Here’s how your deal will be affected and how you can beat the hikes.
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What’s going up?
The table below details how prices are changing on Virgin Media’s deals.
|
Package |
Tier |
Current price |
Price increase |
New price |
% increase |
|
Solus (broadband only) |
50Mb |
£32.25 |
£1.99 |
£34.24 |
6.17% |
|
|
100Mb |
£32.25 |
£1.99 |
£34.24 |
6.17% |
|
|
200Mb |
£37.25 |
£2.99 |
£40.24 |
8.03% |
|
|
300Mb |
£47.25 |
£2.99 |
£50.24 |
6.33% |
|
Duals (broadband and phone) |
50Mb |
£40 |
£1.99 |
£41.99 |
4.98% |
|
|
100Mb |
£40 |
£1.99 |
£41.99 |
4.98% |
|
|
200Mb |
£45 |
£2.99 |
£47.99 |
6.64% |
|
|
300Mb |
£55 |
£2.99 |
£57.99 |
5.44% |
|
Player Bundle |
100Mb |
£45 |
£3.49 |
£48.49 |
7.76% |
|
|
200Mb |
£50 |
£3.49 |
£53.49 |
6.98% |
|
|
300Mb |
£60 |
£3.49 |
£63.49 |
5.82% |
|
Mix Bundle |
100Mb |
£52 |
£3.99 |
£55.99 |
7.67% |
|
|
200Mb |
£57 |
£3.99 |
£60.99 |
7.00% |
|
|
300Mb |
£67 |
£3.99 |
£70.99 |
5.96% |
|
Fun Bundle |
100Mb |
£57 |
£3.99 |
£60.99 |
7.00% |
|
|
200Mb |
£62 |
£3.99 |
£65.99 |
6.44% |
|
|
300Mb |
£72 |
£3.99 |
£75.99 |
5.54% |
|
Full House |
100Mb |
£68 |
£3.99 |
£71.99 |
5.87% |
|
|
200Mb |
£73 |
£3.99 |
£76.99 |
5.47% |
|
|
300Mb |
£83 |
£3.99 |
£86.99 |
4.81% |
Source: Virgin Media
As you can see those with the fastest broadband deals are being hit the hardest by the hikes.
Why we’re to blame
Virgin Media indicated that our increased usage of bandwidth has a part to play in why prices are going up as the company now needs to improve infrastructure to support it.
A spokesperson said: "We do everything we can to balance keeping our prices competitive while investing to meet the ever-increasing appetite for broadband and content.
"Online usage increased by more than 35% in the last year and streaming now accounts for nearly 60% of the total traffic on Virgin Media's network.
"We're investing more in our ultrafast network to continue offering the UK's fastest widely available speeds.
"This all comes on top of must-see TV programming – from Virgin TV exclusives to the only place where you can watch all of the live football action from both Sky and BT Sport in a single package."
How to beat the hikes
This is Virgin Media’s first price rise this year, but the company hiked prices three times last year, so existing customers have seen their bills soar.
If you’re unhappy with the latest price rise but still within your contract’s minimum term Virgin says you can leave without paying a fee.
The telecoms giant has begun sending out letters informing customers about the changes and you will have 30 days from receiving this to cancel your deal and avoid charges.
You can shop around for a better deal using broadbandchoices.
For more on what you need to do to switch take a look at our guide: How to switch your phone, broadband and TV packages.
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