Millions of UK broadband users are about to be whacked by some of the biggest price hikes ever. In fact, some Internet Service Providers (ISPs), including BT, have revealed that things are going up by over 14% with most users seeing their bills rise in the coming weeks.
With the cost of living crisis already hurting wallets this extra financial burden couldn't come at a worse time but if you are facing bigger broadband payments there are plenty of ways to crunch down those numbers.
Making simple changes to your contract, haggling with your supplier or switching to someone new can all reduce those all-important bills.
Here are Mirror.co.uk's top tips to help you try and get those broadband bills back under control
HAGGLE
Get on the phone and give your ISP a call. It's unlikely they will want you to leave and you might just get your price reduced. Try and get through to the cancellation or retentions team as they will usually offer the best deals in a bid to make you stay. It's worth doing some research before you get on the phone. Find cheaper deals from other suppliers and use that information to try and get you current price plan reduced. It might not work but it's definitely worth a try.
SWITCH SUPPLIERS
If your current ISP isn't playing ball then maybe it's time to leave. Almost all suppliers offer vastly reduced rates for new customers and moving could save a fortune. For example, Virgin Media has some plans for half price right now for anyone switching to its service. It's also worth checking out so-called Alt-net providers as these smaller firms often have ludicrously quick speeds at very low prices. London's Community Fibre is currently offering its ludicrous 920Mbps plan for just £27 per month. Other providers worth looking at include Hyperoptic, Toob, CityFibre, KCOM and Trooli.
CHECK YOUR SPEEDS
Do you really need those fast speeds? The slower things are the less you'll pay so if you're simply browsing the web and watching the odd show on Netflix it might be worth reducing your downloads as it can save some cash. Of course, if your home is full of connected gadgets and children streaming endless videos and PS5 games you will need improved downloads but even the busiest of families might get away with speeds of around 200Mbps. Your ISP should be able to guide you on what speeds you really need.
CONSIDER SOCIAL TARIFFS
Social Tariffs are available via all of the UK's biggest ISPs and offer cheaper prices for those claiming benefits such as Universal Credit. Switching to one of these plans could see your bills slashed to under £15 per month.
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Vodafone's social broadband tariff is £12 a month for 38Mbps speeds. BT Home Essentials offers 36Mbps speeds for £15 a month, while Virgin Media Essentials is £12.50 a month for 15Mbps speeds. TalkTalk offers free average 38Mb speed of broadband-only internet for six months.
DON'T WAIT
All of the UK's main ISPs are putting up prices soon so the longer you put off sorting your contract the more you will end up paying.
