BT Bill Increase

BT admitted yesterday that it will sting its 12.5million customers with a price rise of up to 10 per cent in the autumn.

The increase will trigger a copycat move by the rival telecoms giants, industry experts warned yesterday.

From October 1, BT's call charges will rise by 10 per cent and its monthly line rental will jump by 50p to £13.29 a month, or £12.04 if you receive your bills via e-mail.

BT boss Ian Livingston: The telecoms firm will introduce a price rise of up to 10 per cent in the autumn

The cost of connecting a call will go up by 10 per cent from 9.9p to 10.9p, while the rate for a daytime call within the UK will rise from 5.9p a minute to 6.4p.

But customers who sign up to a one-year contract will not be hit by the increases.

BT is offering its customers the chance to avoid the price hike by paying a lower landline charge if they pay upfront. But critics say this is a hurdle many will struggle to afford.

Last night a spokesman for BT admitted the increases will be unwelcome at a time when many families' finances are reaching breaking point.

He said: 'We are making these changes to enable us to invest in better value calls packages in the future.'

The price rise comes after BT bowed to strike threats from the Communication Workers' Union and awarded its workers a 9.3 per cent pay rise over three years.

Source: Daily Mail, 19th July 2010

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