Plusnet to hike broadband and phone charges from December

Six broadband-only Plusnet packages are increasing by £2 a month, and line rental charges are also increasing by £1 a month for other customers – Plusnet has said no customers will be hit by both the line rental and broadband increases.

Those with fixed-price contracts, which have been the only type of broadband and line rental contracts available since 8 August 2018, won't see their prices change.

Plusnet has confirmed that affected broadband and line rental customers will be able to leave their contract penalty-free. It last increased prices in June 2018.

Use our Broadband Unbundled tool to find the best deals.

How are prices changing?

The prices for the following broadband packages (which don't include line rental) are going up by £2/month from Tuesday 3 December:

• Plusnet Essentials with 10GB usage allowance

• Plusnet Extra with 60GB usage allowance

• Plusnet Value with 10GB usage allowance

• Unlimited Broadband 

• Unlimited Fibre

• Unlimited Fibre Extra

The exact price you pay depends on where you live, as certain areas receive a faster connection than others.

Line rental will also be going up by £12/year for other customers. The line rental saver, which costs £197.88/yr when paid upfront, will be increasing to £209.88.

Plusnet also says that broadband packages, without line rental, will no longer be available to new customers from 3 December.

How are call prices changing?

Customers will not be able to leave their contract penalty-free based solely on the changes to call charges, below, as they are monthly add-ons rather than part of a contract. Instead, customers may be able to leave penalty-free due to changes to their broadband or landline costs. 

Here's how the out-of-allowance call charges are changing from 3 December: 

What if I'm on a fixed-price contract?

If you're on a fixed-price broadband contract you won't be affected by the price rises, but you'll still be affected by the changes to call plans and call rates.

When your fixed-price contract is coming to an end, Plusnet says it will send you an end-of-contract reminder and offer you an account review.

Beat the hikes 1 – leave penalty-free

If you're a Plusnet customer affected by a broadband or line rental price rise you can leave penalty-free by calling customer services on 0800 587 1905 within 30 days of receiving its notification.

• Broadband-only packages – if you have one of these you can leave penalty-free.

• Customers with line rental – if you have a broadband and line rental contract you can leave both elements of the contract penalty-free.

Bear in mind that several providers have been hiking prices so there's little point simply leaving because you're annoyed. But check if you can find a cheaper deal elsewhere (compare broadband with our Broadband Unbundled tool or see our Cheap Broadband guide for help).

Beat the hikes 2 – haggle, haggle, haggle

If you're willing to stick with Plusnet, this is a chance to haggle a better deal – especially as you'll have the right to leave penalty-free if it doesn't give you one.

See our Haggle with Service Providers guide for detailed tips, but for starters here are a few...

• Benchmark the best deal elsewhere so you ask for a realistic discount (compare broadband with our Broadband Unbundled tool).

• Get through to the retentions (sometimes called disconnections) department. They have the most power to slash costs, as their job is to keep you.

• Use charm and be friendly. Aggression or anger will just put their back up.

• Don't panic if they call your bluff and say they'll disconnect you.

• Problems mean discounts, so if you've had issues with Plusnet in the past – eg, slow broadband – politely tell it when you haggle.

• Never go with the first offer. Chances are, it's not the best deal. Remember, be firm.

• The salesperson may push you to agree because it's a 'limited-time offer' – don't feel pressured into agreeing to the new price or deal unless you're certain.

• Vote with your feet. If you don't get what you want you should seriously consider leaving.

What does Plusnet say?

A spokesperson said: "Like many providers we are making small price changes to some of our products. We've managed to keep prices as low as possible without increases for the last 18 months as we know these are always unwelcome.

"All customers can move to a fixed-price contract to guarantee broadband and line rental prices, to avoid the increase whilst taking advantage of end-of-contract reminders and an annual account review, so they always know they're on the right deal for their needs."