MSE News
Now Broadband to hike prices by £42 a year – but you can leave penalty-free
Most Now Broadband customers will see their bills increase by £42 a year (£3.50 a month) from 5 July, the provider has announced. However, those on its social tariff won't see prices rise, while those who are affected can cancel penalty-free. Below we've full info on the increase and what you can do about it.
If you're thinking of switching, use our Broadband Unbundled tool to compare the latest deals and see how much you could save. Most other major providers, including BT, Sky, TalkTalk and Virgin Media, have already implemented price rises of up to 14.4% for their broadband customers this year.
Now Broadband prices will rise by £3.50 a month from 5 July for most
The price increase is Now's first since launching in 2018. The provider wouldn't tell us how many customers are impacted, but the hike will affect most of its broadband and home phone customers in the UK. This includes those on its 'Brilliant Broadband', 'Fab Fibre' and 'Super Fibre' packages.
The same £3.50 a month price rise will apply regardless of which plan you're on. Those affected will see their price change on their bill from 5 July onwards.
However, the following customers WON'T see prices rise:
- Those on Now's 'Broadband Basics' plan. This is Now's social tariff for people on Universal Credit and other benefits.
If you're on benefits, you may be able to access cheap, long-term 'social tariffs'. See our Social tariffs round-up for a full list and use our Broadband comparison tool to see how they stack up against standard deals.
- TV-only members. The prices of Now's TV packages, including 'Entertainment' and 'Cinema', are set separately and are not included in the July price rise. This means you'll only be affected if you have Now Broadband (whether on its own or with Now TV).
Want to stay with Now? Try haggling – broadband firms are some of the easiest to negotiate a discount with
In our most recent poll, three in four (75% of) broadband, home phone and TV customers who tried haggling had some success – the highest of any sector (we don't have exact figures for Now).
The coming price hike is a great opportunity to try to bag a better deal – your right to leave penalty-free can be a powerful weapon.
See our Broadband haggling guide for full help, but here are a few tips to get you started...
- Benchmark the best deal elsewhere, so you ask for a realistic discount.
- 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.
- If they won't slash the price, see if they can include any extras, such as a boosted TV package.
If you're unhappy about the price hikes you CAN leave penalty-free
If Now won't play ball, vote with your feet. The provider has confirmed that customers affected by the price increase can leave their contracts without paying any early termination charges. If you want to cancel, you'll need to do so within 31 days of receiving Now's notification of the price increase to avoid being charged.
Remember, new customers normally have the pick of the best TV, fibre broadband and line rental deals and there are other providers out there. However, there's no point in leaving in a huff if your current deal is still the cheapest out there and bear in mind that other providers may up prices too. Check rival providers' prices using our Broadband Unbundled tool.
MSE weekly email
FREE weekly MoneySaving email
For all the latest deals, guides and loopholes simply sign up today – it's spam-free!
Join the MSE Forum discussion
Related Articles
-
Virgin Media to hike prices by 13.8% for millions of customers – but you can leave penalty-free
20 September 2023![]()
Millions of Virgin Media broadband, TV and home phone customers will see their bills increase this spring by an average of 13.8%. -
Easier broadband switching for Virgin Media customers and others delayed – here's what you need to know
14 August 2023![]()
Broadband customers switching to or from cable networks including Virgin Media, Hyperoptic and others will still have to contact both their new and existing provider when moving across, as plans to introduce easier 'one touch' switching from April 2023 have been delayed. -
Virgin Media to be investigated after customers report difficulties cancelling contracts – here's what's happening
13 July 2023![]()
Virgin Media is being investigated by telecoms regulator Ofcom, after the watchdog received a worrying number of complaints from customers who said the firm had made it too difficult to cancel their contract. -
Virgin Media customers suffer email outage – what you need to know
23 June 2023![]()
Virgin Media's broadband customers have been hit by a widespread email outage this week, leaving users unable to send or receive emails. Here’s what you need to know if affected.
19 September 2023
-
Martin: Car insurance up 41%
Home not far behind. Lock in now to save
-
Cheapest ever iPhone 14 deal
As iPhone 15's launched
-
12 ways to cut your food bill
Deals, tricks & tips
-
FREE National Trust day pass
For a family – normally £30ish
-
TWO new bank bribes launch
Get up to £210 FREE
-
With E.on? Beat the Price Cap
With its new fixed-term tariff
-
243 spring bulbs £15 delivered
7,500 bundles available
-
Read the full email
For all the latest deals, guides and loopholes simply sign up today – it's spam-free!
-
'Unfair' standing charges need to go: MPs back Martin's and MSE's calls for energy bill overhaul
23 September 2023![]()
Energy standing charges unfairly penalise households on lower incomes and those looking to cut their usage, a cross-party group of MPs have said in a new report published today. -
Martin Lewis: Urgent warning for savers as base rate held at 5.25%
22 September 2023![]( "1764282989")
You should open a fixed savings rate NOW in case rates are cut, MoneySavingExpert.com founder Martin Lewis has warned. -
Martin Lewis: Are you an E.on customer? Here's an easy way to cut what you pay for energy
21 September 2023![]( "333005096")
E.on Next's 'Pledge' tariff could be an easy way to cut your bills over the next year, according to MoneySavingExpert.com founder Martin Lewis. -
NatWest and RBS to close at least 134 branches in 2023/24 – here's the full list, plus alternatives
21 September 2023![]()
The NatWest Group will shut at least 143 of its bank branches throughout 2023 and 2024 following its latest announcement. -
Bank of Scotland, Halifax and Lloyds to close 35 more branches in 2023/24 – here's the full list, plus alternatives
21 September 2023![]()
Bank of Scotland, Halifax and Lloyds, which are all part of the Lloyds Banking Group, have announced they'll close at least 35 more branches between them over the next 12 months.
-
Martin Lewis: Is it time to ban unnecessary Christmas presents?
11 September 2023![]()
Update September 2017: It’s eight years since I first braved this subject, expecting a snowstorm of protest. Instead, year after year more join in, like Julia who recently tweeted me, “@MartinSLewis, finally took your advice and told my family I can’t afford Christmas presents. What a weight off my mind. Thank you.” One year even the Archbishop of... -
Martin Lewis: Five things all new English university starters should know
4 September 2023![]()
The 2023 academic year is about to start, and it'll see the biggest shake-up to student finance in England for a decade. The changes are both subtle and massive. On the surface they look like a tweak, in practice they will increase the eventual cost of going to university by over 50% for many typical graduates.
Clever ways to calculate your finances
