Sky’s update means select broadband customers can lock in a fixed price without having to worry about rising bills
As we approach the end of the financial year, many Brits are bracing for their bills to increase once again. Each April, households are hit by rising costs as companies increase their prices based on the government’s Retail Price Index (RPI) rate of inflation.
This usually occurs mid-contract even when billpayers have signed up for an agreed price, meaning many of us will soon be paying more for household essentials like energy, mobile phones and broadband. Virgin Media is among the companies that confirm its upcoming price increase will be in line with inflation plus an additional 3.9% for contracts taken out before January 9, with the new rate taking effect from April.
However, Sky is tempting Brits with the launch of a new scheme allowing its members to avoid any unwelcome price hikes and lock in their agreed rate for two years. New customers signing up for Sky’s fibre broadband plans could be reassured that their price will remain the same across two years, as the site says: “Price locked for 24 months” on a select type of packages.
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Sky’s broadband prices now start at £26 per month for the 75Mbps plan, rising in £1 increments up to the £28 150Mbps plan. There’s also faster speeds available including 300Mbps for £30, 500Mbps for £34 or a whopping 900Mbps for £44.
Sky has launched a 24-month price lock on its broadband plans, helping members avoid any increase for the life of their contract.
Sky offers broadband speeds from 75Mbps to 900Mbps, with prices starting at £26 per month.
The price lock also applies to select TV and broadband bundles, including the £41 Ultimate TV and Full Fibre 100 Broadband plan. As well as 100Mbps broadband, this provides access to more than 140 channels including Sky Atlantic, as well as Netflix and Discovery+ via Sky Stream.
It is, however, only available on five packages namely; the Full FIbre 100, Full Fibre 75, Full Fibre 150, Full Fibre 300, and Full Fibre 500 all of which have the bold ‘price locked’ information underneath. Other plans including the Full Fibre Gigafast are subject to changes as it states ‘prices may change during the contract’ under the listing – a common feature on pay-as-you-go plans.
Sky does not charge an activation fee or upfront cost to get things up and running, with new customers also able to claim up to £200 to cover any switching fees. What’s more, with the new One Touch Switch, Sky will do the legwork and cancel things with your current provider, with 24/7 support offered from a real person.
It’s always worth checking the available speeds in your area, as Sky says its speeds can vary by location. However, Sky adds that full fibre broadband is available to 51% of UK homes.
It isn’t all good news from Sky, though, as the provider has confirmed existing customers will see their TV and broadband bills increase by an average of 6.2% from April. In a statement on Tuesday (February 4), Devesh Raj, Sky’s Chief Operating Officer, said: “From April, our TV and broadband packages will increase by an average of 6.2%, which is either in line with or lower than other providers.
“Over the last four years, our prices have broadly increased in line with inflation, reflecting our ongoing commitment to fair and transparent pricing. We will be reaching out to every customer impacted in the coming weeks, to provide clarity about how their products and services will be affected.”
It comes as EE has unveiled a new round of broadband deals that save up to £131 from the usual price. EE’s prices now start at £29.99 per month for its 150Mbps plan, with the biggest saving available on the Full Fibre 500, 500Mbps, plan at £34.99.