Sky Announces April Price Increases for Broadband and TV Services
Sky has confirmed new price rises that will take effect from April, impacting many of its broadband and television customers across the UK. The adjustments will see most broadband subscribers facing a monthly increase of £3, while premium TV packages are set to rise by between £1 and £3 per month.
This translates to an annual hike of up to £36 for some customers, adding to household expenses amid ongoing cost-of-living pressures. The changes come as the telecommunications industry grapples with rising operational costs and inflationary pressures.
Official Statement from Sky
A Sky spokesperson addressed the price adjustments, stating: "From April, the prices of our Sky broadband and TV products will change. We always aim to limit the impact of price increases as much as possible, and our approach means Sky customers continue to see some of the lowest increases in the market."
The spokesperson further explained: "These updates will allow us to continue investing in delivering fast broadband, the best entertainment and live sport, and services our customers can rely on, while managing rising costs faced across the industry."
Ofcom Complaint Data and Industry Context
The announcement follows the publication of Ofcom's latest telecom and pay-TV complaint data. Alex Tofts, a broadband expert at Broadband Genie, provided analysis on the current state of customer complaints in the sector.
"The number of complaints received by Ofcom remains at a relatively steady level compared to previous quarters," Tofts noted. "However, broadband continues to generate more complaints than landline, mobile and pay-TV services. If other parts of the telecoms market can reduce complaint volumes, the question is: why can't broadband?"
Tofts emphasized that a decrease in formal complaints to Ofcom doesn't necessarily indicate fewer industry issues. "Many providers now operate dedicated support teams on social media, where customers can often secure faster responses and resolutions than through formal regulatory complaints," he explained.
Consumer Advice and Switching Options
While Ofcom collects complaint data to inform investigations and monitor industry standards rather than intervening in individual cases, consumers have significant power through switching providers. According to industry data, 8.8 million broadband customers are currently out of contract and could save an average of £183.60 per year by moving to a new deal.
Tofts advised: "Most complaints continue to relate to service faults, followed by complaint handling and billing issues. For consumers unhappy with their provider, switching remains a powerful option."
He also highlighted the importance of considering network infrastructure when making switching decisions. "Providers such as BT, TalkTalk and EE operate on the Openreach network, while Virgin Media and independent alternative networks (altnets) build and manage their own infrastructure. If faults and service reliability are a concern, moving to a provider on a different network can sometimes deliver a better experience."
Tofts expressed particular support for alternative networks: "At Broadband Genie, we're strong supporters of altnets. Typically, they offer significantly faster download speeds, strong customer service performance, and fewer will raise your price mid-contract price rises."
The combination of Sky's price increases and ongoing industry challenges underscores the importance for consumers to regularly review their broadband and TV contracts, explore competitive alternatives, and consider both pricing and service reliability when making provider decisions.
