Virgin Media has announced an increase in the mid-contract price rise for both new and re-contracting customers. Starting from October 2, individuals entering into a new contract or renewing an existing one will experience a £4 monthly bill increase halfway through their contract term.
The enhanced price adjustment will take effect from next April, surpassing the current £3.50 mid-contract price surge that current Virgin Media customers have agreed to. Existing customers will remain unaffected by the heightened price rise as long as they are within their current contract.
The price revision coincides with Virgin Media’s lineup refresh, which includes the incorporation of Netflix with advertisements as a standard offering on plans exceeding 500Mbps, and faster speeds bundled with TV packages.
A spokesperson from Virgin Media highlighted that customers opting for the latest packages, featuring added value such as Netflix included in all TV bundles and complimentary Sky Sports in HD, will witness a monthly price increment of £4 each April.
Ernest Doku, a broadband expert at Uswitch, commented that Virgin Media is the latest broadband provider to raise its fixed mid-contract price rise to £4 per month, following a previous annual increase figure of £3.50 per month less than a year ago. New or re-contracting customers from October 2 onwards will be subject to this rise in April. With the shift to 24-month minimum contracts earlier in the year, prospective clients may face a double impact of an additional £8 per month by April 2027.
The adjustment applies solely to new contract signees, prompting existing Virgin Media customers approaching contract renewal to evaluate their alternatives. The move aligns with similar mid-contract price rises by BT, EE, and Plusnet, which have all elevated their monthly increases to £4 for new customers.
For customers not under contract, exploring competitive prices online for potential savings is advisable. Assessing current broadband needs and considering downgrading to save costs is another strategy. Alternatively, negotiating with the current provider for a lower bill based on better deals elsewhere can be a viable option.
Timing negotiations close to contract expiration or following a price hike announcement is recommended. In cases of mid-contract price rises, some customers may have the opportunity to exit without penalties, except when the rise was predetermined in the contract terms. Individuals receiving benefits should explore potential savings through more affordable social tariffs.