Broadband

The holidays are over, September's here, it's back to reality (if you ever left it), so I wanted to go back to basics. A check-up if you like, to see if you could save yourself £1,000s. So no apology to MoneySaving aficionados - hopefully you'll pass with flying colours - as it's always worth a check, especially if you're one of those who reads this email, yet doesn't always act...

Telecoms giant BT wrongly charged customers with a limited broadband package for exceeding their usage cap in June, MoneySavingExpert.com has learned – and the firm is now writing to those affected to tell them they will be refunded.

5.2 million Virgin Media home phone, broadband and TV customers will see prices rise by an average of 5.1% from November. But you'll be able to leave your contract penalty-free, or if you want to stay, you may be able to beat the hike by haggling.

Around half a million Post Office customers are facing steep home phone and broadband price hikes next month, with the cost of some packages set to increase by up to £36/year. But if you're affected it's possible to leave your contract penalty-free or haggle a better deal.

Vodafone remains the most complained-about mobile firm by a clear distance, according to the latest stats from the telecoms regulator Ofcom which cover January to March of this year. It comes as MoneySavingExpert.com continues to warn all Vodafone customers to check their bills ASAP.

Plusnet is to hike its home phone and broadband prices for a second consecutive year, with some customers paying up to £30/year more from 1 September. But if you're affected, you can leave your contract penalty-free, or if you're willing to stay, you can beat the hike by haggling.

Plans to give homeowners the option of switching their mortgage provider within just one week are being considered by the Government, as part of an effort to make switching easier for consumers across a range of sectors.

Broadband users throughout the UK previously forced to put up with slow connection speeds received a boost in yesterday's Queen's Speech in the form of plans to introduce the legal right to a "fast broadband connection".

The vast majority of MoneySavingExpert.com users aged under 65 would appear to be hanging up their home phone for good, according to our online poll, which follows calls for broadband-only customers to be exempt from landline costs.