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Daily Mirror
6 days ago
- Business
- Daily Mirror
Broadband firm with 300,000 customers introduces mid-contract price hikes
Hyperoptic previously advertised itself as a broadband provider that did not increase prices during a contract. This made it different from other major providers, including O2, Vodafone, and BT A major broadband provider has ditched one of its biggest pledges and will implement mid-contract price rises for customers. Hyperoptic previously advertised itself as a broadband provider that did not increase prices during a contract. This made it different from other major providers, including O2, Vodafone, and the BT Group, which includes BT, EE, and Plusnet. The firm has also spent the last few years campaigning against the practice. Before this year, telecoms providers were allowed to increase prices mid-contract in line with inflation from March and April, plus up to 3.9% extra on top of this. However, Ofcom banned inflation-based mid-contract price rises this year. Telecoms providers can still hike prices mid-contract, although now it is by a set amount detailed in the contract in "pounds and pence". In early 2023, Hyperoptic launched a TV ad campaign calling out the pricing tactic. But in a U-turn move, the provider has now implemented mid-contract prices into its contracts. From April 2026, broadband contracts will rise by £3 a year. However, the price hikes will only affect customer contracts that joined after June 3 this year. Hyperoptic currently has around 300,000 broadband customers in the UK. Get the best deals and tips from Mirror Money WHATSAPP GROUP: Get money news and top deals straight to your phone by joining our Money WhatsApp group here. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. The broadband provider said that existing customers will not be affected by the yearly price rises - unless they switch to a new contract. Customers on a Fair Fibre plan - which is the provider's cheaper package for those on benefits such as Universal Credit - will also not see their prices rise mid-contract. Lutfu Kitapci, chief technology officer and managing director of ISP at Hyperoptic, said: "For years, broadband consumers have had to deal with unknown price increases in the middle of their contract and we are proud to have campaigned and supported the ban of this unfair practice. "Price changes however are not uncommon, for example after introductory pricing, discounted months and other offers." He added: 'To remain competitive in the current environment, we will be introducing an annual increase of £3 from April 2026, for customers joining from 3rd June 2025'. The price adjustments represent significant percentage increases across Hyperoptic's product range - with some rising by 12% overall: 50Mb Fast - Current: £26 - From April 2026: £29 (+12%) 150Mb Superfast - Current: £26 - From April 2026: £29 (+12%) 500Mb Ultrafast - Current: £31 - From April 2026: £34 (+10%) 1Gb Hyperfast - Current: £35 - From April 2026: £38 (+9%) Join Money Saving Club's specialist topics Alex Tofts, Strategist at Broadband Genie, expressed strong disappointment at the move, he said: "We're disappointed to see Hyperoptic join the long list of providers that raise prices for its customers before they reach the end of their deal. This price increase represents a gigantic price jump of 12% for customers wishing to subscribe to their most affordable deals.' He added: 'All mid-contract price rises achieve is concern and confusion for customers. The only way we can make true progress and do justice for bill payers is for Ofcom to step up and outright ban these shameful price rises'.
Scottish Sun
6 days ago
- Business
- Scottish Sun
Broadband provider with 300,000 customers makes huge u-turn on bills and customers will pay more
A number of firms, which we reveal below, hiked their broadband and mobile phone contracts earlier this year LINE FAIL Broadband provider with 300,000 customers makes huge u-turn on bills and customers will pay more Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A MAJOR broadband provider has made a u-turn on bills meaning customers will pay more. Hyperoptic has ditched its no mid-contract price rise pledge meaning households will have to cough up more during their contract terms. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 1 Hyperoptic has said it will now hike prices for customers midway through contracts Credit: Alamy The firm has spent the last few years campaigning to stop the practice which sees prices rise to keep up with inflation. In early 2023, it launched a TV ad campaign calling out the pricing tactic. However, it will now implement annual increases of £3 from April 2026 for customers joining after June 3 this year. Lutfu Kitapci, chief technology officer and managing director of ISP at Hyperoptic, said: "For years, broadband consumers have had to deal with unknown price increases in the middle of their contract and we are proud to have campaigned and supported the ban of this unfair practice. "Price changes however are not uncommon, for example after introductory pricing, discounted months and other offers." He added existing customers will not be affected by the annual increase, unless they switch to a new contract. Customers on a Fair Fibre plan, a cheaper package for those on benefits like Universal Credit and PIP, will also not see their prices rise mid-contract. The changes mean that someone on a 24-month 150MB Superfast package living in North-East London will see their price rise from £19 a month to £22 a month next April. From April 2027, this will rise a further £3 to £25 a month. Meanwhile, a household in the same area choosing a 24-month 1GB Hyperfast deal will see the price rise from £25 a month now to £28 next April, then £31 from April 2027. CHECK YOUR SPEED: Broadband You can find out how much your package might rise by visiting BROADBAND PRICE RISES A host of broadband firms hiked prices for customers in March and April. This included BT and EE Mobile and broadband customers, those with Three and Tesco Mobile customers. For some customers, their contract prices rose by various measures of inflation plus a certain percentage. However, other customers saw prices rise based on a new pounds and pence method introduced by regulator Ofcom. For example, O2 customers who signed up for deals before January 9 this year saw their contracts hiked by January's RPI rate of inflation plus 3.9% on April 1. But, those who agreed to a new SIM-only deal from January 9 onwards saw their contracts rise by £1.80. Vodafone mobile phone customers who took out a new deal before July 2, 2024 saw their monthly costs go up based on the January CPI measure of inflation plus 3.9% on April 1. Firms that don't implement mid-contract price hikes Giffgaff (O2) Lebara (Vodafone) Lycamobile (EE) (prices frozen until 2026) SMARTY (Three) Superdrug Mobile (Three) Talkmobile (Vodafone) VOXI (Vodafone) However, anyone who took out a deal after this date will have seen their bill rise by a flat £3. How to cut mobile and broadband costs Check whether you can save potentially hundreds of pounds a year on your broadband by switching to a different provider. Which? research found, on average, out-of-contract TV and broadband customers could save £160 by switching. Meanwhile, TV and broadband customers who haggled with their current provider rather than switching saved £117 on average. It's worth checking if you qualify for a social tariff as well, available to those on certain benefits like Universal Credit. They're usually cheaper than standard broadband packages and could save you up to £456 a year. Social tariffs are not just offered by broadband providers either - you can get them for mobile phones too. You can find out the list of providers that offer either type of tariff on the Ofcom website. If you're looking for a TV, broadband and phone deal, it can often work out cheaper buying a bundle package combining them all too. Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing money-sm@ Plus, you can join our Sun Money Chats and Tips Facebook group to share your tips and stories
The Sun
6 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
Broadband provider with 300,000 customers makes huge u-turn on bills and customers will pay more
A MAJOR broadband provider has made a u-turn on bills meaning customers will pay more. Hyperoptic has ditched its no mid-contract price rise pledge meaning households will have to cough up more during their contract terms. 1 The firm has spent the last few years campaigning to stop the practice which sees prices rise to keep up with inflation. In early 2023, it launched a TV ad campaign calling out the pricing tactic. However, it will now implement annual increases of £3 from April 2026 for customers joining after June 3 this year. Lutfu Kitapci, chief technology officer and managing director of ISP at Hyperoptic, said: "For years, broadband consumers have had to deal with unknown price increases in the middle of their contract and we are proud to have campaigned and supported the ban of this unfair practice. "Price changes however are not uncommon, for example after introductory pricing, discounted months and other offers." He added existing customers will not be affected by the annual increase, unless they switch to a new contract. Customers on a Fair Fibre plan, a cheaper package for those on benefits like Universal Credit and PIP, will also not see their prices rise mid-contract. The changes mean that someone on a 24-month 150MB Superfast package living in North-East London will see their price rise from £19 a month to £22 a month next April. From April 2027, this will rise a further £3 to £25 a month. Meanwhile, a household in the same area choosing a 24-month 1GB Hyperfast deal will see the price rise from £25 a month now to £28 next April, then £31 from April 2027. You can find out how much your package might rise by visiting BROADBAND PRICE RISES A host of broadband firms hiked prices for customers in March and April. This included BT and EE Mobile and broadband customers, those with Three and Tesco Mobile customers. For some customers, their contract prices rose by various measures of inflation plus a certain percentage. However, other customers saw prices rise based on a new pounds and pence method introduced by regulator Ofcom. For example, O2 customers who signed up for deals before January 9 this year saw their contracts hiked by January's RPI rate of inflation plus 3.9% on April 1. But, those who agreed to a new SIM-only deal from January 9 onwards saw their contracts rise by £1.80. Vodafone mobile phone customers who took out a new deal before July 2, 2024 saw their monthly costs go up based on the January CPI measure of inflation plus 3.9% on April 1. However, anyone who took out a deal after this date will have seen their bill rise by a flat £3. How to cut mobile and broadband costs Check whether you can save potentially hundreds of pounds a year on your broadband by switching to a different provider. Which? research found, on average, out-of-contract TV and broadband customers could save £160 by switching. Meanwhile, TV and broadband customers who haggled with their current provider rather than switching saved £117 on average. It's worth checking if you qualify for a social tariff as well, available to those on certain benefits like Universal Credit. They're usually cheaper than standard broadband packages and could save you up to £456 a year. Social tariffs are not just offered by broadband providers either - you can get them for mobile phones too. You can find out the list of providers that offer either type of tariff on the Ofcom website. If you're looking for a TV, broadband and phone deal, it can often work out cheaper buying a bundle package combining them all too. .
