Broadband and Phone Price Hikes Go Live on Virgin Media UK

Cable operator Virgin Media (Liberty Global) has today increased the standard price for its broadband, phone and TV bundle packages for new customers who join the service.

The hike means that the cost of Virgin Line Rental has now risen from £14.99 to £15.99 a month. Similarly the cost of 12 months pre-paid line rental has also recently gone from the equivalent of £10 per month to £10.66 (total £128).

Elsewhere the standard charge for Virgin’s 30Mbps broadband and calls bundle has increased from £14.50 per month to £15.50, although this package is currently still on offer at 6 months reduced price for £7.50 per month (excluding the cost of line rental). It’s a similar story across the other / faster dual-play and triple-play bundles too.

Meanwhile the recent launch of Virgin’s latest programme to boost their customers broadband download speeds up to a maximum of 150Mbps (here) also included mention of a February 2014 price hike, which will see prices jumping by around 6.7%; this is the same rise as above but represents the date for Virgin’s existing subscribers. Lest we not forget the last February 2013 hike (here) and the October 2013 hike (here).

The high frequency of price changing could have a discouraging impact upon consumers, some of whom may find it harder to budget for a service that moves the goal posts so frequently. On the other hand Virgin Media are by no means alone in raising their prices with BT, TalkTalk, EE and Sky Broadband etc. all making similar moves.