ONE million Plusnet customers will see broadband bills hiked by up to £24 a year, while certain call costs are also rising – but you can leave penalty free.
The increases take force from December 3 and Plusnet says users will see the extra charges added to their next bill after this date.
Plusnet wouldn't tell us how many customers are affected but said it was all of its user base, and it's 2018/19 financial results reveal it has 1million customers.
The telecoms provider last upped broadband and call costs 18 months ago, but only last month it hiked BT Sport by 100 per cent.
Its mobile users have also seen price hikes in the past six months, which has left customers frustrated by this latest bill blow.
But Plusnet says affected customers can cancel their contracts penalty free as a result of the increases by calling customer services.
How to avoid the price hike
IF you're unhappy about the price increase, here's what you can do about it:
Cancel your contract
Affected customers can cancel their contract penalty free by calling Plusnet's customer services on 0800 432 0200.
It’s always worth haggling
While no means a guaranteed way to get a cheaper deal, it doesn’t hurt to try and haggle down the price.
It is worth expressing your outrage over the price increases and telling Plusnet you want to switch to another provider.
Price comparison websites such as uSwitch or Compare The Market will allow you to see what other deals are around in your area.
In most cases you simply just need to pop your postcode into the website search and it will come up with the cheapest deals.
What's happening?
Under the changes, broadband, fibre and fibre extra prices will rise by £2 a month for everyone other than those with a fixed price plan.
Currently, these users pay different prices depending on where in the country they live, their broadband speed and their package type.
Prices vary from £9.99 a month, which is rising to £11.99 a month, up to £30.99 a month, which is rising to £32.99 a month.
Line rental is also increasing by £1 a month (£12 a year), although we've asked Plusnet to confirm if this fee is on top of the package increases.
Line rental saver, will also rise, although again we're awaiting confirmation on the new price.
Legacy broadband and home phone packages that are no longer on sale but which some users still have, are also being hit.
These will all increase by £1 a month (£12 a year), although the exact price depends on the exact package you currently have.
Certain call costs are also going up, for example, call set-up fees will rise by 1p a call from 22p to 23p.
Calls to landlines meanwhile will rise by 1.5p a minute from 13.5p to 15p, and calls to mobiles will increase by 3p a minute from 15p to 18p.
International call costs are also rising, although costs vary depending on which country you call.
You can find a full list of changes on Plusnet's website.
'My broadband has gone up twice in 18 months'
Broadband users are unhappy about the hikes though. One frustrated customer tweeted: "I see my @plusnethelp bill is going up again!
"Sign up to an 18 month deal and it’s gone up twice in that time! Can you identify my charge for leaving early please!?"
Another added: "The second price hike from Plusnet in six months. First mobile contract now line rental. Time to switch.
"Plusnet used to be different to other network providers. Not anymore."
Someone else said: "@plusnet is very good at getting you into a contract (except me now), so line rental will be £19.99, same as BT, although, wouldn't be surprised if it's increasing too."
A Plusnet spokesperson said: “Like many providers we are making small price changes to some of our products.
"We’ve managed to keep prices as low as possible without increases for the last 18 months as we know these are always unwelcome.
"All customers can move to a fixed price contract to guarantee broadband and line rental prices, to avoid the increase whilst taking advantage of end-of-contract reminders and an annual account review, so they always know they’re on the right deal for their needs.”
But Plusnet isn't the only provider upping prices. Earlier today, Vodafone confirmed it's hiking prices by £30 for hundreds of thousands of broadband users.
And if you're fed-up of being ripped off, we spoke to one grandson who saved his gran £800 a year on her bills in just one hour – and here's how you can do it too.
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