Broadband

The UK's biggest broadband and mobile providers – BT, Sky, TalkTalk, Three, Virgin Media O2, and Vodafone – have agreed to a set of measures aimed at ensuring customers struggling to pay their bills during the cost of living crisis don't get cut off from essential services.

Mobile and broadband customers should find it easier to cancel penalty-free if their provider makes detrimental mid-contract changes that were not agreed to when they first signed up to the plan. 

Plusnet and John Lewis broadband customers will be automatically compensated for delayed repairs and loss of service. Plusnet, which also runs the broadband service for John Lewis, has joined nine other companies that are part of the regulator's automatic compensation scheme. 

Millions of households on low incomes are missing out on average savings of almost £150 a year on their broadband bills, according to Ofcom. The industry regulator has called on providers to better advertise discounted deals for those on benefits - see a full list of available tariffs below.  

Millions of BT, EE, Plusnet, Shell, TalkTalk and Vodafone customers will be hit with price hikes of up to 9.3% this spring on the back of a sharp increase in the cost of living. For many, this year's hikes are more than double last year's. We've full info and a handy table below on what's happening and who's affected. 

Millions of Sky broadband, TV and home phone customers will see prices hiked by £43 a year on average from Friday 1 April. Meanwhile, Sky Mobile customers who use their data, or make calls and send texts in the EU will pay £2 a day in roaming charges from Tuesday 3 May. But affected customers may be able to cancel contracts penalty-free as a result. 

Virgin Media is offering automated discounts to cable customers put on hold who call up seeking a price cut, MoneySavingExpert.com has learned, although we've also heard of users securing far better deals if they stay on the line and haggle in person.

Newly merged O2 and Virgin Media have launched a new product called Volt, allowing eligible customers to get their mobile data allowances doubled and their broadband speeds boosted to the next level at no extra charge. To get it, you need to have Virgin broadband and an O2 mobile contract. While decent for existing customers, for most it's not worth switching to the firms just for the perks – we've full analysis below. 

Shell Energy is to scrap a controversial £15 'cease fee' it charges customers who switch away from the firm or cancel their contract, MoneySavingExpert.com can reveal. It comes after we queried the fee with regulator Ofcom and it asked Shell Energy to explain the charge - though Shell insists it was already reviewing the fee as it prepares to take on 450,000 Post Office customers later this year.

Jobseekers may be able to get six months' worth of free broadband from TalkTalk under a new partnership with the Government and Jobcentre Plus. Following a successful trial, it's now been rolled out nationwide and with no contract, there's no obligation to continue after the six months is up. We explain what you'll get under the initiative and how to apply.