Virgin Media has announced an increase in its mid-contract price rise for both new and existing customers. Effective from October 2, individuals entering into new contracts or renewing existing ones will experience a £4 monthly bill increment halfway through their agreement. This adjustment, set to commence in April of the following year, supersedes the current £3.50 mid-contract price rise previously in place for current Virgin Media customers.
While existing customers under their current agreements remain unaffected by the heightened price rise, Virgin Media is concurrently revamping its offerings. This includes the incorporation of Netflix with advertisements as a standard feature in plans offering speeds exceeding 500Mbps, alongside enhanced TV bundles.
A spokesperson from Virgin Media stated that customers opting for the latest packages, featuring added value such as Netflix as a standard inclusion in all TV bundles and complimentary Sky Sports in HD, will witness a £4 monthly price surge each April.
Ernest Doku, a broadband expert from Uswitch, noted the escalation of Virgin Media’s fixed mid-contract price rise to £4 per month, a revision made less than a year after the initial annual increase was set at £3.50 per month. Beginning October 2, new or re-contracting customers will face this elevated cost adjustment the following April. With Virgin Media’s transition to 24-month minimum contracts earlier in the year, prospective customers could potentially face a cumulative £8 monthly increase by April 2027.
This adjustment applies solely to new contract signees, prompting existing Virgin Media customers approaching renewal to review their options. This shift aligns with similar mid-contract price rise announcements made by BT, EE, and Plusnet, all of which have raised their increments to £4 per month for new customers.
For individuals without current contracts, exploring alternative deals online and assessing broadband speed requirements can help secure more favorable pricing. Negotiating with existing providers, especially near contract expiration or following a price hike announcement, may also yield cost savings. Additionally, customers affected by mid-contract price rises may have opportunities to exit contracts penalty-free, subject to specific conditions. Lastly, those eligible for social tariffs should consider exploring potential savings through these programs.