Martin Lewis has warned BT and EE customers of an upcoming set of changes that could leave them out of pocket.
On the latest episode of The Martin Lewis Money Show Live on STV, the consumer champion told viewers who subscribe to TV, broadband, landline or mobile phone packages that their bills could rise from next year - but there is a way to avoid it.
Martin told viewers of two price hikes on the way.
He said: "The first applies to BT and its mobile subsidiary EE.
“It's a terms and condition change, that means on the 21st March next year, the price will rise by January's inflation plus 3.9 percent.
"So a big above inflation rise is coming for mobile, landline, broadband, TV, BT Sport there.
"Now this applies to anyone who has signed up or renewed after the 31st August.
"So factor that in when you're considering your renewal, whether it's worth it.”
Martin explained how the amount of the increase depends on the level of inflation, measured by the Consumer Prices Index (CPI), in January.
If the level of inflation is 1.5%, then the total increase to our bills will be 5.4%, meaning a £50 a month phone contract would increase to £52.70 - or an extra £32 a year.
The money-saving expert advised viewers to shop around and check whether similar services or products may be cheaper elsewhere and also said he had heard customers were having a lot of success by “haggling” with BT by asking them to match lower prices being offered by different providers.
The second price hike is for BT customers who joined before February 2020.
On November 1, those who are subscribed to BT Sport will pay an extra £4 a month, and those with BT TV will have to pay a further £2 a month.
But Martin said customers can avoid the increase and “leave penalty free before October."
BT said customers must cancel their subscription before October 31, 2020.
For BT customers considering a switch, there are some good deals on the market for TV and Sports with Virgin Media recently boasting that it is now the cheapest place to get BT Sport, Sky Sports and broadband access.
Virgin says that consumers often split their broadband and TV service between multiple providers which can be more expensive and inconvenient, but it offers everything in one bundle.
Sky is also offering a price cut to new customers who sign up to both its sports channels and BT Sport.
The deal currently costs £52 per month which is a saving of over 25 per cent off the standard price. It includes over 207 live Premier League games plus access to F1, the Champions League plus cricket and golf action.
The MoneySavingExpert.com website explains the BT TV price changes in more detail here.
