Some of Ireland’s major telecom firms have hiked their prices in another blow to consumers.
Annual bills could climb by as much as €94 for customers.
Amid the ongoing cost-of-living crisis, varied increases were confirmed to the Irish Mirror by Eir, Three, Vodafone and Sky Ireland.
READ MORE: Ireland weather timeline as Met Eireann gives interesting verdict on Easter bank holiday weekend
Inflation and the soaring rates of doing business are to blame, it is claimed.
All four providers’ extra costs will be applied throughout this month, with Three announcing that its new rates were applied from Saturday.
A spokesperson for Three revealed that its new prices for customers are linked to inflation.
She said: “Three Ireland confirms the introduction of an annual price increase for all new and upgrading customers across all plans from April 1.
“This annual price increase will be based on the annual rate of inflation as set out by the Consumer Price Index (CPI) in December of each year, plus an additional three per cent.”
She added: “The current increase rate of 11.2% is only applicable to customers who have joined or upgraded between January 20, 2023, and the end of February.”
It means that Three customers on a monthly €35 bill pay rate will see an increase of €3.92, while those on a €45 bill pay rate will see an increase of €5.04.
Some other customers will see an average price increase of €2.06 on their monthly bill.
A monthly increase of €5.04 would add €60.48 to annual bill costs.
At Vodafone, a spokesperson explained that “volatile” conditions over the “last 12 to 18 months” due to “inflationary pressures, such as energy” had a “significant impact on all businesses”.
She said: “Vodafone Ireland, unfortunately, has not been immune to this.”
She added: “We have made the decision to implement an annual price adjustment which will change the prices for some fixed and mobile customers by an amount equal to the CPI rate + 3%.
“We have taken the annual CPI rate, calculated by the CSO in December 2022 and published in January 2023, into consideration and have calculated the annual price adjustment as 8.2% + 3% (11.2%).
“The 8.2% is the direct inflationary impact on our business, with the 3% being applied to support our investment plans.”
The spokesperson clarified that the increase is “not a blanket price rise” and only affects some mobile Bill Pay customers and fixed broadband customers.
She said: “Mobile bill pay customers will see an average increase of approximately €5 a month and broadband customers will see an average increase of about €7 a month.
“It will add €3.92 per month if you were on a €35 Red Unlimited Sim Only price plan.
“If you are on our 1GB Fibre Broadband price plan, the standard monthly price is €70, it would increase by €7.84.”
This €7.84 increase is equivalent to an extra €94.08 over 12 monthly bills.
She added: “The price adjustment will take place in April and will be reviewed throughout this year.”
Sky Ireland customers face a minimum 5.1% increase, depending on their package.
The bill hike will be capped at either €7 or 7% a month, so the average bill will have an increase of 5.1% or €4.51.
This €7 increase is equivalent to an extra €84 over the course of a year.
A Sky Ireland spokesperson said: “Customers were notified in February with changes coming into effect from April.”
He added: “We know price increases are never welcome, particularly in the current economic landscape.”
Eir customers’ new rates are linked to inflation and are also tied to the CPI, confirmed a spokesperson.
She said: “To combat significant inflation costs across operations, an annual increase in monthly charges will apply to Eir customers from April 2023.
"The increase this year will be capped at 8% in line with the annual CPI, published in January 2023 for the majority of customers.
“It will be capped at 10% for a small number of business customers.”
She added: “The price increases apply to the standard monthly price of services.”
During this month, April, an Eir mobile plan with monthly price of €29.99 will increase by €2.40 to €32.39, while a broadband plan with a monthly price of €65.99 will increase by €5.21 to €71.20.
A monthly increase of €5.21 will add an extra €62.52 over the course of a year.
Virgin Media Mobile and Tesco Mobile were also asked to comment on its prices.
Tesco Mobile told the Irish Mirror that it is applying a "price freeze across all bill pay plans, effective immediately.”
Its spokesperson said: “The increased cost of living is forcing families and individuals to stretch their income against a sharp and unpredictable rise in monthly utility bills.”
The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) earlier this month revealed which companies generated the most complaints last year.
Eir, Sky, and Vodafone were named in the top 10.
Meanwhile, online price comparison firm Switcher.ie has urged consumers to shop around.
Its commercial director Eoin Clarke added: “It seems there's no respite from rising prices, and from April 1, we're paying more for broadband, TV and phone.”
Switcher.ie issued money-saving tips, which include urging households to shop around to find the best deals; bundle broadband, phone and TV; haggle for cheaper deals; consider SIM-only deals instead of a bill-pay contract; and try for multi-cover discount.
A spokesperson said: “Irish households - already squeezed by high energy bills and soaring food costs - are to be hit by another raft of price hikes on April 1.
“Telecoms giants are to announce price increases for broadband and mobiles customers from April Fools’ Day.”
He added: “If you’ve got a bunch of gadgets, like a phone, tablet, laptop and smartwatch that you insure separately, consider choosing multi-gadget cover and save up to 15% on insurance.”
READ NEXT:
- New Annie McCarrick murder suspect 'lived in same Dublin neighbourhood' as digs may begin in days
- David Haye adds new girlfriend to throuple one month after Una Healy split
- Ian Bailey could be left homeless as eviction ban lifted - but ex 'certainly won’t take him in'
- Irish Lidl shopper left baffled as mystery three-letter code found written on blueberry
- Ryanair flight mistake you make every time you book - and secret to getting best seat
Get news updates direct to your inbox by signing up to our daily newsletter here
