Latest news with #SuperFibre
Daily Record
19-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Record
What you can do about broadband price increases as firms announce bill hikes
Many of us have been continuing to struggle with the cost of living crisis, as prices seem to be going up across the board with wages often not matching the surge. From council tax to the weekly shop, there seems to be no let up. And the same appears to be happening for broadband providers, with many having already increased their rates. Sky has already hiked its prices for customers by around six per cent in 2025. And NOW, which is owned by Sky, recently announced it would also be increasing its broadband bills this summer. Those signed up for the Brilliant Broadband, Fab Fibre, or Super Fibre legacy bundles will see the packages increase by £36. This £3 a month rise will come into force on Saturday, July 5. NOW Broadband, like Sky, does not comply with Ofcom's latest pricing regulations. The rules, which were introduced this year, require internet service providers to clearly specify how much a customer's bill will increase annually. Another firm, Origin - which was previously owned by TalkTalk - has confirmed they are moving all of their 95,000 customers to Utility Warehouse. Off the back of these changes, Geoff Pestell, CEO at broadband comparison site Fibre Compare, has offered his expert insight into what this means for customers. He has shared advice on a user's right to leave their provider, as well as how they can use the 'one touch switch' system, which some consumers may not be aware of. For NOW and Sky broadband customers, since those companies do not follow Ofcom's regulations, users are entitled to cancel their contracts within 30 days of being notified of the price increase without facing an early termination fee or other penalties. But for those with Origin, they would need to pay a fee if they want to cancel their contract and avoid the transfer to Utility Warehouse. Whether a fee applies or not, customers of all internet service providers can switch more easily thanks to the 'one touch switch' tool, a streamlined process which came into effect last September. What is the 'one touch switch' system? The Ofcom rules came into effect to try and simplify the process of switching broadband providers, which is a task many consumers have struggled with over the years. With the new system, there is no need for a middle man and customers only need to contact their new provider when switching. Previously, if you were switching between providers on different broadband networks, you would have to contact both sides. The system, which was introduced on September 12, 2024, has been specifically designed for people switching between different networks, meaning they will only have to contact their new provider, who will then manage the entire process. If you are out of contract with your current provider, there is usually no fee for the switch. But if you are still tied in with one broadband deal, expect to pay an early exit fee if you want to move. How does the 'one touch switch' system work? Check you are out of contract with your current provider or, if you are still contracted, that you are willing to pay a cancellation fee Select a new broadband deal, sign up with the new provider, and finalise your activation date Your new provider will liaise with your old provider to match your details and ensure the correct connection will be transferred over You will receive an 'end of contract' notification from your previous provider, as well as a returns package for any equipment. If you are cancelling a contract early, you will pay your termination fee at this stage If you are happy with your new contract, you will give your new provider permission to make the switch. A technician may visit to install new equipment, if needed Your new provider will manage the switch and confirm the date of your new connection If there are any issues with the switch or the consumer is left without service for more than one working day, providers must provide compensation. The 'one touch switch' system is not guaranteed if you are switching from a mobile broadband provider - like Three, which uses 4G/5G to provide broadband services to your property - and, in this case, you would need to contact both providers. The success rate of the system stands at around two-thirds (64 percent) and it is aimed to complete most switches within a single day, where technically possible.
Daily Record
16-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Record
Sky issues price hike warning and confirms exact date increase is coming
Customers are in for a monthly bill increase - and it's coming soon. Many of us have been feeling the pinch recently, with prices seemingly going up across the board. And many TV and broadband providers have already increased their rates. Sky has already hiked its prices for customers by around six per cent this year. This change came into effect last month but there is more frustrating news for some users of its other services. NOW, which is owned by Sky, has recently announced it will also be increasing its broadband bills this summer. Those signed up for the Brilliant Broadband, Fab Fibre, or Super Fibre legacy bundles will have a monthly rise of £3, The Express reports. NOW representatives have said they are aware that price hikes "are never welcome", but that they are bumping up bills to "continue improving and investing in their services". The change will come in from Friday, July 4, according to the provider. A spokesperson for NOW said: 'We understand that price increases are never welcome. "However, to continue improving and investing in our services, we need to adjust our pricing. "Starting July 4, the monthly cost of our NOW legacy Broadband products, including Fab Fibre, Super Fibre, and Brilliant Broadband plans, will increase by £3 each.' Customers impacted by the price hike will be notified and be given at least 31 days' notice to change plans. NOW says that, unlike many other providers, users can make the switch to another provider penalty-free within that period. So if you're a customer and you get an email informing you of the extra fees and wish to take your broadband custom elsewhere, you can do so within 31 days without having to pay any extra costs. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. 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. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. NOW also stressed that these price changes are reflective of the investments it has made to improve its products and services for users. The provider said that it is facing increasing cost pressures across the board. Even if you are not with NOW, it may be a good idea to shop around and see what broadband offers are available if you are approaching the end of your contract or are unhappy with your supplier. As well as checking out the big name providers like BT, Virgin and Sky, there are plenty of smaller alternative networks popping up all over the UK that often offer faster speeds at lower prices - you just need to have a look about. To see what Internet Service Providers (ISPs) are in your street, look at Ofcom's handy postcode checker. Using this tool could see you get faster downloads whilst saving some money.
Daily Mirror
15-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Mirror
Sky announces surprise price alert and the exact date when it may affect you
Sky's NOW platform will soon cost more each month. All of the UK's biggest Internet Service Providers (ISPs) announced price hikes earlier this year with customers facing higher costs from April. S uppliers hiking costs included Sky, with this popular service provider adding around 6 per cent to monthly bills. Now, in an update that might surprise some customers, Sky has announced another new cost increase. This time it's affecting the firm's NOW platform, with those accessing the web via this ISP facing a £3 per bill rise. The change will come into force from July 4, 2025 with anyone who has signed up to plans such as Brilliant Broadband, Fab Fibre and Super Fibre being affected. 'We understand that price increases are never welcome," a NOW spokesperson said. "However, to continue improving and investing in our services, we need to adjust our pricing. Starting 4th July, the monthly cost of our NOW legacy Broadband products, including Fab Fibre, Super Fibre, and Brilliant Broadband plans, will increase by £3 each.' Although the thought of paying more won't please many, NOW is offering a lifeline. The ISP says it is notifying customers and giving them at least 31 days' notice about the changes. Unlike many other providers that lock users into contracts, NOW users are being allowed to leave penalty-free within 31 days of being notified of a price increase. So, if you get an email from NOW in the coming weeks and don't want to pay the extra £3 fees, you can go online shopping and find another without the worry of early exit fees. So why are prices going up? NOW says that these price changes are reflective of the investments it has made to improve its products and services. The service also says there are increasing cost pressures it continues to face across the board – such as wholesale cost and investment to improve its service. Even if you aren't with NOW, it's always a good idea to shop around and see what offers are available. Along with checking out the main providers like BT, Virgin and Sky, there are plenty of smaller alternative networks popping up all over the UK that often offer faster speeds at lower prices. To see what Internet Service Providers (ISPs) are in your street, look at Ofcom's useful postcode checker. You might get faster downloads whilst saving some money.
Business Mayor
13-05-2025
- Business
- Business Mayor
Sky issues important new price warning and an exact date UK users need to know
Like most TV and broadband providers, Sky has already hiked prices for its customers this year with things increasing by around 6 percent. That change came into effect last month, but now there's more bad news for some users of its popular services. NOW, which is owned by Sky, has just announced that it will be adding more to broadband bills later this year, with those signed up for bundles including Brilliant Broadband, Fab Fibre and Super Fibre seeing £3 per month being added to their outgoings. NOW says this change will come into force from July 4, 2025. 'We understand that price increases are never welcome,' a NOW spokesperson said. 'However, to continue improving and investing in our services, we need to adjust our pricing. Starting 4th July, the monthly cost of our NOW legacy Broadband products, including Fab Fibre, Super Fibre, and Brilliant Broadband plans, will increase by £3 each.' If you are impacted by the update, you will be notified and given at least 31 days' notice. NOW says that, unlike many other providers, its customers can leave penalty-free within 31 days of being notified of a price increase. That means if you get an email and don't want to pay the extra fees, you can find another provider and not pay any early exit costs. NOW is also keen to point out that these price changes are reflective of the investments it has made to improve its products and services. The service also says there are increasing cost pressures it continues to face across the board – such as wholesale cost and investment to improve its service. Read More CrowdStrike: Company to face questions over global IT outage Even if you aren't with NOW, it's always a good idea to shop around and see what offers are available. Along with checking out the main providers like BT, Virgin and Sky, there are plenty of smaller alternative networks popping up all over the UK that often offer faster speeds at lower prices. To see what Internet Service Providers (ISPs) are in your street, look at Ofcom's useful postcode checker. You might get faster downloads whilst saving some money. READ SOURCE
Scottish Sun
13-05-2025
- Business
- Scottish Sun
Big broadband firm confirms hefty summer price hikes for thousands of customers – how much extra will you pay?
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A BIG broadband firm confirms hefty summer price hikes for thousands of customers - here's how much extra you will pay. NOW is once again increasing the price of three of its broadband products. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 1 NOW has hiked the price of its broadband deals Credit: Alamy Customers on its social broadband tariff won't see their prices change, but those signed up to its Fab Fibre, Super Fibre, and Brilliant Broadband will. Come July 4, prices are set to increase by £3 a month, which works out as an extra £36 a year. A NOW spokesperson said: 'We understand that price increases are never welcome. However, to continue improving and investing in our services, we need to adjust our pricing. "Starting 4th July, the monthly cost of our NOW legacy Broadband products, including Fab Fibre, Super Fibre, and Brilliant Broadband plans, will increase by £3 each.' It's not the first time NOW customers have been met with increases to their monthly bill. Those signed up for any of the three broadband packages were also told they must pay an extra £3 last year. And this was on top of of a £3.50 hike back in July 2023. It's important to remember that not every NOW customer will be impacted by the move. If you are on NOW's Full Fibre 100 tariff won't see their prices change. Also if you're signed up to a Now Broadband Basics tariff because you claim Universal Credit or other benefits, your prices will not change either. CHECK YOUR SPEED: Broadband The tariff cost will remain fixed at £20 a month to help those on lower incomes. Also if you are on one of the impacted contracts you have a chance to get out. NOW customers have been told they can also exit their current contract within 31 days of being notified of a price increase without being charged a penalty. But it is important to note that if you're unhappy with the price hikes and wish to leave, you must tell Now within 31 days of receiving notification of the price increase to avoid being charged. Customers who are impacted will be contacted from the end of this month to let them know how the changes impact their package How can I save money on my broadband and mobile contracts? It is not uncommon to see your broadband or mobile contract increase. This is typical because of pesky mid-term price hikes, which are written into a lot of broadband and mobile phone contracts. These agreements mean that around April each year, providers can increase what they charge, usually in line with inflation plus an added percentage (for example, Consumer Prices Index (CPI) inflation + 3.9%). Since the start of this year, providers have been banned from doing this in percentage terms and will have to include an exact pounds and pence figure in your contract. But this means customers still have to pay extra. In the weeks before your contract is up, use comparison sites to familiarise yourself with what deals are available. It's a known fact that new customers always get the best deals. Sites like MoneySuperMarket and Uswitch all help you customise your search based on price, speed and provider. This should make it easier to decide whether to renew your contract or move to another provider. However, if you do not want to switch and are happy with the service you're getting under your current provider - haggle for a better deal. You can still make significant savings by renewing your contract rather than rolling on to the tariff you're given after your deal.
