Millions of mobile and broadband customers could beat April bill price rises by taking action now. Approximately eight million broadband customers and 14 million mobile customers are currently out of contract and could save money by shopping around, according to Uswitch.
Several major providers including O2, Virgin, Three and Vodafone are set to hike bills from today. Mobile and broadband firms have been banned from linking mid-contract price rises to inflation; instead, customers must be told in “pounds and pence” how much their bill will increase by.
Ernest Doku, telecoms expert at Uswitch, said people could potentially save a combined £633 by acting now. “Switching can save broadband customers an average of £329, and mobile customers can save an average of £304 switching from a handset contract to a SIM-only mobile contract,” he said.
If you are out of contract, you are probably paying too much. Before comparing prices, check your current usage to avoid paying for allowances you don't need. Use comparison websites such as Uswitch, Compare the Market, Confused.com or MoneySupermarket to find the cheapest deals.
Once you have compared prices, you can switch to a new provider or haggle with your existing one. If you claim benefits, check if you are eligible for a cheaper social tariff, with prices starting from £12 a month for broadband and £10 for mobile. Around 5.3 million UK households are eligible, but 4.8 million aren’t currently claiming it.
