Latest news with #BrilliantBroadband
Daily Mirror
03-07-2025
- Business
- Daily Mirror
Sky users given 48-hour price alert and your bill could go up tomorrow
Sky has told some of its broadband customers that their bills are rising - are you affected? Most of the UK's biggest TV and internet providers have already hiked prices in 2025, with the majority of bills going up in April. Now, Sky is back with a new cost increase, and it's bad news for anyone who uses the firm's NOW broadband platform. It was confirmed back in May that some users would face paying more, now that deadline is almost here with the changes coming into force tomorrow, July 4. Sky has revealed that the upcoming changes will affect those who have signed up for Brilliant Broadband, Fab Fibre and Super Fibre plans. If you use NOW and have joined via one of these broadband bundles you can expect to see an extra £3 per month disappearing from your bank account. NOW seems well aware that this price news won't please everyone. 'We understand that price increases are never welcome," a NOW spokesperson said. "However, to continue improving and investing in our services, we need to adjust our pricing. Starting 4th July, the monthly cost of our NOW legacy Broadband products, including Fab Fibre, Super Fibre, and Brilliant Broadband plans, will increase by £3 each.' When the hike was first announced, NOW said users could leave the service free of charge, but that was only available if customers acted within 31 days of being informed. If you don't want to pay extra, it's worth checking your emails to see if you are still within that time frame. If you are, you can switch to a new service provider and not face any early exit fees. Along with offering that ability to switch, NOW has also been keen to point out that these price changes are reflective of the investments it has made to improve its products and services. The service also says it has had to hike things due to the increasing cost pressures it continues to face across the board – such as wholesale cost and investment to improve its service. If you are with NOW, check your contract. Even if you aren't with NOW, it's always a good idea to shop around and see what offers are available. Along with checking out the main providers like BT, Virgin and Sky, there are plenty of smaller alternative networks popping up all over the UK that often offer faster speeds at lower prices. For example, Community Fibre is currently offering broadband for free with this deal lasting for three months. To see what Internet Service Providers (ISPs) are in your street, look at Ofcom's useful postcode checker. You might get faster downloads whilst saving some money.
Scottish Sun
02-07-2025
- Business
- Scottish Sun
Thousands of Sky customers to see their bills rise in DAYS – how to avoid being hit
We reveal how you can cut broadband costs below BILL BLOW Thousands of Sky customers to see their bills rise in DAYS – how to avoid being hit Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) THOUSANDS of Sky customers are set to see their bills rise in DAYS - but there is a way to avoid the hike. NOW Broadband, which is part of Sky, is upping the price of three internet deals from Friday (July 4). Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 1 NOW is upping the price of three broadband deals from Friday Credit: Alamy Existing customers with a Fab Fibre, Super Fibre or Brilliant Broadband product will see prices rise by £3 a month - an extra £36 a year. NOW confirmed the increase in May, with a spokesperson adding: "We understand that price increases are never welcome. "However, to continue improving and investing in our services, we need to adjust our pricing." NOW started issuing notifications to affected customers between May 21 and June 19. These customers have had 31 days since being notified to cancel their contracts penalty-free. That means some impacted customers who are yet to cancel still have time to before Friday without paying a fee. It's not the first time NOW customers have been faced with price hikes on their monthly bill. The provider upped prices on some of its broadband deals by £3 a month last year as well - the second time since its launch in 2018. It also raised its prices by £3.50 a month in 2023. Not every NOW customer is being hit with price rises from this Friday - those on NOW's Full Fibre 100 tariff won't see their prices change. CHECK YOUR SPEED: Broadband If you're signed up to a NOW Broadband Basics social tariff, you also won't see what you pay go up. How to save money on broadband Broadband and mobile phone providers rely on our laziness and us not looking around for the best deals on the market. Quite often, you can save money by shopping around for a better deal then ditching your current one. But be wary you may be charged an exit fee for terminating your current contract early. You can use price comparison websites like Uswitch, Go Compare or MoneySuperMarket to find the best deals. If you don't want the hassle of switching providers, you can find a better deal via a price comparison site then use what you've found to haggle your current provider down to a cheaper price. It's also worth signing up for a social tariff if you can. These are discounted tariffs for those on certain benefits like Universal Credit. The regulator Ofcom has a list on its website of all the firms offering social broadband mobile phone tariffs. You can find it via Top tips on how to stay connected Here are some tips from Ofcom on how to improve your Wi-Fi connection and get more out of it: Use your landline or Wi-Fi calls:More people are making calls on their mobile network during the day, so you may find you get a more reliable connection using your landline or by turning on "wifi calling" in your settings. Move your router clear of other devices: Keep your router as far away as possible from other devices, such as cordless phones, baby monitors, TVs and monitors, as they can all affect your Wi-Fi if they're too close to your router. Also, place your router on a table or shelf rather than on the floor, and keep it switched on. Lower the demands on your connection: The more devices attached to your wifi, the lower the speed you get. Devices like tablets and smartphones often work in the background, so try switching wifi reception off on these when you're not using them. Try wired rather than wireless:For the best broadband speeds, use an Ethernet cable to connect your computer directly to your router rather than using Wi-FI. Plug your router directly into your main phone socket:Where possible, try not to use a telephone extension lead, as these can cause interference which could lower your speed. Test the speed on your broadband line: You can run a speed test using Ofcom's official mobile and broadband checker. If possible, carry out tests over a few days and see if there are any changes. Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing money-sm@ Plus, you can join our Sun Money Chats and Tips Facebook group to share your tips and stories
Daily Record
30-06-2025
- Business
- Daily Record
Sky users may see their bills rise at the end of the week but are you affected?
A number of Sky's services will receive a price hike this week. Many Sky users are in for some bad news this week as the broadband company is set to raise some of its prices in the coming days. While the company notified customer's back in May, the deadline for the price hike is now upon us. For those who access their internet through Sky 's NOW platform, customers will see their payments increase from Friday, July 4. Specifically, the price hike will impact those who have bought bundle deals, including Brilliant Broadband, Fab Fibre, and Super Fibre. If you are someone who uses any of these broadband deals, you should expect to see an extra £3 per month added to your payments once the price increase begins, reports the Express. As the increase date looms closer, NOW is aware that many customers will not be happy with the decision. A spokesperson said: "We understand that price increases are never welcome. "However, to continue improving and investing in our services, we need to adjust our pricing. Starting 4th July, the monthly cost of our NOW legacy Broadband products, including Fab Fibre, Super Fibre, and Brilliant Broadband plans, will increase by £3 each." For those who don't agree with the changes and are shopping elsewhere for broadband deals, NOW is offering those impacted by the change 31 days to leave free of charge. Affected customers were sent an email at the time of the announcement, so it may be worth checking your inbox to see if the email is sitting there. If the email was sent less than 31 days ago, customers will still be able to change to a different supplier and not have to stress over exit costs. However, ultimately NOW doesn't want its customers to leave and is keen to let shoppers know that this price hike is being done to reflect the investments it has made to improve its services and products. Therefore by staying on, customers will get a better service. However, they will need to pay more to receive it. The increase in price is also due to rising cost pressures the company is facing across the board, including wholesale cost and investment to keep improving its services. Even if you aren't currently impacted by any price hikes, it is always a good idea to have a look around and see what deals are on the market. While there are many big name brands trying to entice customers with their deals, such as Sky, Virgin Media and BT, there are quite a few smaller networks also available that often offer lower prices and faster speeds. For example, shoppers may want to look into Community Fibre as it is currently offering broadband for completely free. However, shoppers will also need to be aware of what broadband providers are available in their area as there is no point looking up services that you cannot access. To do this, Ofcom has an easy to use postcode checker that anyone can use. With this information, you may be able to get faster downloads while also saving money. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'.
Daily Record
19-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Record
What you can do about broadband price increases as firms announce bill hikes
Many of us have been continuing to struggle with the cost of living crisis, as prices seem to be going up across the board with wages often not matching the surge. From council tax to the weekly shop, there seems to be no let up. And the same appears to be happening for broadband providers, with many having already increased their rates. Sky has already hiked its prices for customers by around six per cent in 2025. And NOW, which is owned by Sky, recently announced it would also be increasing its broadband bills this summer. Those signed up for the Brilliant Broadband, Fab Fibre, or Super Fibre legacy bundles will see the packages increase by £36. This £3 a month rise will come into force on Saturday, July 5. NOW Broadband, like Sky, does not comply with Ofcom's latest pricing regulations. The rules, which were introduced this year, require internet service providers to clearly specify how much a customer's bill will increase annually. Another firm, Origin - which was previously owned by TalkTalk - has confirmed they are moving all of their 95,000 customers to Utility Warehouse. Off the back of these changes, Geoff Pestell, CEO at broadband comparison site Fibre Compare, has offered his expert insight into what this means for customers. He has shared advice on a user's right to leave their provider, as well as how they can use the 'one touch switch' system, which some consumers may not be aware of. For NOW and Sky broadband customers, since those companies do not follow Ofcom's regulations, users are entitled to cancel their contracts within 30 days of being notified of the price increase without facing an early termination fee or other penalties. But for those with Origin, they would need to pay a fee if they want to cancel their contract and avoid the transfer to Utility Warehouse. Whether a fee applies or not, customers of all internet service providers can switch more easily thanks to the 'one touch switch' tool, a streamlined process which came into effect last September. What is the 'one touch switch' system? The Ofcom rules came into effect to try and simplify the process of switching broadband providers, which is a task many consumers have struggled with over the years. With the new system, there is no need for a middle man and customers only need to contact their new provider when switching. Previously, if you were switching between providers on different broadband networks, you would have to contact both sides. The system, which was introduced on September 12, 2024, has been specifically designed for people switching between different networks, meaning they will only have to contact their new provider, who will then manage the entire process. If you are out of contract with your current provider, there is usually no fee for the switch. But if you are still tied in with one broadband deal, expect to pay an early exit fee if you want to move. How does the 'one touch switch' system work? Check you are out of contract with your current provider or, if you are still contracted, that you are willing to pay a cancellation fee Select a new broadband deal, sign up with the new provider, and finalise your activation date Your new provider will liaise with your old provider to match your details and ensure the correct connection will be transferred over You will receive an 'end of contract' notification from your previous provider, as well as a returns package for any equipment. If you are cancelling a contract early, you will pay your termination fee at this stage If you are happy with your new contract, you will give your new provider permission to make the switch. A technician may visit to install new equipment, if needed Your new provider will manage the switch and confirm the date of your new connection If there are any issues with the switch or the consumer is left without service for more than one working day, providers must provide compensation. The 'one touch switch' system is not guaranteed if you are switching from a mobile broadband provider - like Three, which uses 4G/5G to provide broadband services to your property - and, in this case, you would need to contact both providers. The success rate of the system stands at around two-thirds (64 percent) and it is aimed to complete most switches within a single day, where technically possible.
Daily Record
16-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Record
Sky issues price hike warning and confirms exact date increase is coming
Customers are in for a monthly bill increase - and it's coming soon. Many of us have been feeling the pinch recently, with prices seemingly going up across the board. And many TV and broadband providers have already increased their rates. Sky has already hiked its prices for customers by around six per cent this year. This change came into effect last month but there is more frustrating news for some users of its other services. NOW, which is owned by Sky, has recently announced it will also be increasing its broadband bills this summer. Those signed up for the Brilliant Broadband, Fab Fibre, or Super Fibre legacy bundles will have a monthly rise of £3, The Express reports. NOW representatives have said they are aware that price hikes "are never welcome", but that they are bumping up bills to "continue improving and investing in their services". The change will come in from Friday, July 4, according to the provider. A spokesperson for NOW said: 'We understand that price increases are never welcome. "However, to continue improving and investing in our services, we need to adjust our pricing. "Starting July 4, the monthly cost of our NOW legacy Broadband products, including Fab Fibre, Super Fibre, and Brilliant Broadband plans, will increase by £3 each.' Customers impacted by the price hike will be notified and be given at least 31 days' notice to change plans. NOW says that, unlike many other providers, users can make the switch to another provider penalty-free within that period. So if you're a customer and you get an email informing you of the extra fees and wish to take your broadband custom elsewhere, you can do so within 31 days without having to pay any extra costs. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. NOW also stressed that these price changes are reflective of the investments it has made to improve its products and services for users. The provider said that it is facing increasing cost pressures across the board. Even if you are not with NOW, it may be a good idea to shop around and see what broadband offers are available if you are approaching the end of your contract or are unhappy with your supplier. As well as checking out the big name providers like BT, Virgin and Sky, there are plenty of smaller alternative networks popping up all over the UK that often offer faster speeds at lower prices - you just need to have a look about. To see what Internet Service Providers (ISPs) are in your street, look at Ofcom's handy postcode checker. Using this tool could see you get faster downloads whilst saving some money.
