[muppetman11]

Virgin Media increases broadband price

Virgin Media is to up the price of its broadband packages, three months after it said it was doubling its customers' speeds for free.

In early January, the cable giant announced it would double the speed of its broadband service for more than 4 million of its customers. The upgrade, which begins this month, will also see the service's top speed increase from 100Mbps to 120Mbps.

At the time, Virgin Media's chief executive, Neil Berkett, said: "We want to make sure that consumers have access to the best value broadband service and that means a superfast connection."

A spokesman added: "Most customers will not notice the upgrades taking place, nor will any have to pay for the changes to take place."

However, a few weeks on it has emerged that customers will face price rises averaging more than £25 a year.

The company will increase the price of its most popular broadband (large) package by £1 a month. It is also upping some call charges by 12%, and changing the time its free calls kicks in – meaning some customers will be charged for calls that were previously free.

Large Broadband bought as standalone product (without line rental) is increasing in price by £1.50 a month to £22.50. The price changes will come into force on 1 April – with the first letters going out to customers announcing the move this week.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/money/2012...redirect=false