According to Which?, the biggest percentage increase among the main providers will come from Virgin Media and O2, who are predicted to raise costs by as much as 8.8% in April.
According to Which? calculations, a Virgin Media customer who is still under contract would see an increase in their annual broadband price of £39.14 or incur an exit fee of £403.91 if they decide to cancel their contract early.
Following the merger, O2 has taken over Virgin Mobile’s subscriber base, and both companies have started to sell bundles.
Although the media watchdog Ofcom has not yet released its final ruling on its plans to outlaw the practice, it is now evaluating inflation-linked mid-contract pricing increases.
Customers of Virgin Media and O2 have a “lose-lose” option because “few would have anticipated such steep price rises when they signed up,” according to Which? head of policy and campaigning Rocio Concha.
