The broadband bill mistake that could be costing households hundreds every year
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Broadband customers are being urged to check one easily overlooked detail that could be adding hundreds of pounds a year to household bills.
There is one household bill mistake that is incredibly easy to make: doing absolutely nothing.
Broadband can sit on direct debit for years without being checked, and that could mean paying far more than you need to.
New research highlighted by Broadband Genie found customers stay with the same broadband provider for an average of three years and five months. The problem is that many introductory broadband deals only last around 24 months.
Once that cheaper period ends, your bill can jump. And if you simply let the contract roll on, the extra cost can quietly pile up month after month.
In some cases, households could be paying up to £452 more a year by staying put rather than checking whether a cheaper broadband deal is available.
So how do you know whether you are overpaying?
Start with one simple question: when did you last change or renegotiate your broadband?
Alex Tofts, broadband expert at Broadband Genie, says anyone who has not reviewed their deal in the past two years is “almost certainly overpaying”.
That does not automatically mean you need to switch. But it does mean your broadband bill deserves a quick MOT.
Check what you are paying now. Then check when your original contract ended. If your price has crept up since then, it is worth seeing what other broadband deals are available at your address.
Do not assume the fastest package is automatically the best one either. Broadband Genie suggests around 50Mb for a two-person household, with extra speed needed where several people are streaming, gaming or downloading at the same time.
The next trap is the headline price.
A cheap-looking deal can become less attractive once setup costs, future price rises and contract length are factored in. Equally, gift cards or introductory rewards can make another package cheaper than it first appears.
That is why it pays to compare the total cost, not just the monthly figure. A quick broadband comparison can show the deals available where you live and whether switching could actually save you money.
And switching itself is easier than many people realise. Under One Touch Switch, your new provider generally manages the move, including cancelling your old service.
There is one final check worth making. If someone in your household receives Universal Credit or certain other benefits, you may qualify for a cheaper social tariff.
The key is not to let broadband become a forgotten bill. If yours has been untouched for two years or more, a few minutes checking the alternatives could reveal whether you have been paying hundreds too much.