MILLIONS of Sky Mobile customers will see their monthly bills jump next month after the telecoms giant confirmed a widespread price hike.
The provider announced today that the majority of its data tariffs will increase by £1.50 a month, with the changes appearing on bills from February 14.
It marks the first time in more than seven years that Sky has increased prices for customers who are still in the middle of their contract.
Until now, the provider had frozen prices for existing customers, even though annual price rises are standard across the rest of the mobile industry.
The changes will add £18 a year to the cost of a typical data plan.
Notices are being sent out to affected subscribers starting today, January 6, explaining the new rates and how they impact individual plans.
But there is a simple trick to beat the rise that isn’t available to customers on most other networks.
Because Sky Mobile operates on “variable” contracts rather than locking users into inflation-linked deals, you have a guaranteed right to walk away.
If you are unhappy with the extra charges, you can cancel your contract penalty-free.
This applies even if you are mid-contract, meaning you can switch to a cheaper rival without paying a penny in early termination fees – provided you act after receiving the notification.
This “get out” clause is a major difference compared to rivals like EE, O2, or Vodafone, where mid-contract price rises are often written into the small print, leaving customers trapped or facing huge exit fees.
A Sky Mobile spokesperson said: “To continue delivering the quality, service, and value our customers expect, most Sky Mobile customers will see a £1.50 increase to their monthly bill from February.
“We don’t take decisions like this lightly, which is why we have not increased mobile prices mid-contract for more than seven years.
“This change reflects the ongoing cost pressures being faced across the industry, while allowing us to continue investing in our network and customer experience.”
Sky separately said that it is freezing prices for its social tariff customers for the fourth year in a row, meaning those on supported low-income plans won’t pay a penny more.
How to cut your broadband, mobile and TV bills
By James Flanders, Chief Consumer Reporter
Switching contracts is one of the single best ways to save money on your mobile, broadband and TV bills.
But if you can’t switch mid-contract without facing a penalty, you’d be best to hold off until it’s up for renewal.
But don’t just switch contracts because the price is cheaper than what you’re currently paying.
Take a look at your minutes and texts, as well as your data usage, to find out which deal is best for you.
For example, if you’re a heavy internet user, it’s worth finding a deal that accommodates this so you don’t have to spend extra on bundles or add-ons each month.
In the weeks before your contract is up, use comparison sites to familiarise yourself with what deals are available.
It’s a known fact that new customers always get the best deals.
Sites like MoneySuperMarket and Uswitch all help you customise your search based on price, allowances and provider.
This should make it easier to decide whether to renew your contract or move to another provider.
However, if you don’t want to switch and are happy with the service you’re getting under your current provider – haggle for a better deal.
You can still make significant savings by renewing your contract rather than rolling on to the tariff you’re given after your deal.
If you need to speak to a company on the phone, be sure to catch them at the right time.
Make some time to negotiate with your provider in the morning.
This way, you have a better chance of being the first customer through on the phone, and the rep won’t have worked tirelessly through previous calls which may have affected their stress levels.
It pays to be polite when getting through to someone on the phone, as representatives are less inclined to help rude or aggressive customers.
Knowing what other offers are on the market can help you to make a case for yourself to your provider.
If your provider won’t haggle, you can always threaten to leave.
Companies don’t want to lose customers and may come up with a last-minute offer to keep you.
It’s also worth investigating social tariffs. These deals have been created for people who are receiving certain benefits.
