Just when we were coming to terms with soaring energy bills, the cost of living is set to soar even further with the latest news of impending rises in mobile phone and broadband charges.
Householders are already facing ever-increasing bills for gas, electricity, petrol, diesel and food in what looks to be a very challenging year after last year's energy crisis.
Now the Consumer Price Index figure for January shows that the prices for using mobile phones and the internet are also set to rocket in the coming months, reports the Birmingham Mail.
READ MORE - How will a four day working week work in Scotland as trial begins
Ru Bhikha, telecoms expert at Uswitch.com, said the increases would be more than double what they were last year.
BT, EE, Plusnet and Vodafone will all push up broadband prices by the inflation rate plus 3.9 per cent, while TalkTalk will add inflation and an additional 3.7 per cent.
The rises are built into customers’ contracts, so they can’t be cancelled without incurring an exit fee.
Vodafone broadband customers who signed up before February 2, 2021, can expect to see a rise of the inflation figure plus 1.4 per cent and those joining after that date will face an increase in bills of inflation plus 3.9 per cent.
Mobile phone charges from BT, EE, Plusnet and Vodafone will go up at the CPI rate plus 3.9 per cent, while O2 and Virgin Mobile link their prices to the retail prices index (RPI) of 7.1 per cent.
Tesco Mobile and Sky Mobile do not raise prices in line with inflation.
Ru said: "Customers of BT, EE, Vodafone and Plusnet will see their bills increase by a staggering 9.3 per cent, meaning someone on an average £37.50-a-month mobile handset contract will now pay £40.98, an extra £41.85 over the year.
"Most providers increase their customers’ bills by adding a surcharge - usually 3.9 per cent - on top of January’s inflation figures.
"Providers say this pays for improving network infrastructure, but with inflation already so high, these monthly increases will only add to the pain.
"Unfortunately, these rises are usually in your contract, and you will not be able to walk away without a penalty fee.
"If you find yourself in financial difficulty, don’t suffer in silence. Raise the issue with your provider and you may be able to negotiate a better deal, or switch onto a social tariff if you meet the criteria."
