BT's 6% landline price rise

http://www.guardian.co.uk/money/2013/jan/04/bt-landline-price-rise

Version 0 of 1.

BT has upped the prices of its home phone and broadband services, leaving customers paying almost 6% more than last year.

The basic landline charge increases from £14.60 to £15.45 a month. The set-up fee and call charges have all risen by similar amounts, as have the cost of its broadband packages.

The move, announced in September, will leave many wondering whether they can do away with a landline and rely on a mobile/smartphone instead.

Last year it scrapped the last of its paperless billing discounts, so the only way to save on landline rental is to pay a year in advance. Line Rental Saver is £129 for the year, up from £120.

BT's most popular calls package, Unlimited Anytime Plan, has risen by 25p to £5.15 a month. Its Broadband Option 1 is £18.85, up from £17.80. Option 2 is up £1.30 a month to £23.80. Infinity users are paying £1.20-£1.55 a month more, depending on the package.

John Petter, managing director of BT's consumer division, defended the move: "We'll be changing some prices in January, but we'll then be freezing many key prices until 2014."

Gareth Kloet, utilities expert at Confused.com, said price rises are a great reason to shop around for a better deal and "identify any services you may be paying for but no longer use".

• Sky, which put up its landline charges to £14.50 a month in December, has launched a campaign to get TV customers to also take its phone/broadband services. It has unbundled more than 2,000 telephone exchanges, allowing it to offer its phone/internet services direct to customers. On price, it has long been a no-brainer. Now, it says, it has a dedicated "switch squad" to troubleshoot any complications .

To get an accurate picture, go to the Guardian's switching comparison site or call 0800 840 5414.