Millions of Virgin Media broadband customers are set to experience a significant and “unpredictable” price increase of 7.7% this April, driven by inflation-linked adjustments. Many users on older contracts remain tied to the Retail Price Index (RPI), which rose by 3.8% in January, with an additional 3.9% added on top, making the combined increase particularly steep.
Customers who joined Virgin Media between January 9 and October 2 will see a fixed £3.50 monthly increase, while those who signed up on or after October 2 face a £4 rise per month.
Ernest Doku, broadband expert at Uswitch, emphasized the impact: “Today’s RPI announcement confirms a 7.7% April price hike for Virgin Media customers still subject to inflation-linked increases. These flat-rate increases can disproportionately affect customers on lower-cost plans, where a £4 monthly rise is more burdensome compared to those on premium packages.”
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Doku advises customers nearing the end of their contract to act now: “Out-of-contract households are currently overpaying by an average of £329 a year. If you’re satisfied with your current service, it’s worth negotiating with your provider for a better deal before the hike takes effect. While switching providers remains the best way to save money, a quick call to the retention team can also help mitigate the impact.”
Responding to concerns, a Virgin Media spokesperson stated, “With broadband usage on our network increasing by 8% last year, price adjustments are necessary and will affect most customers from April. The size of individual increases depends on when customers joined, but on average, monthly bills will rise by less than the price of a takeaway sandwich or coffee.”