Households across Ireland are gearing up for yet another round of price increases from the country’s leading telecommunications providers, with experts advising consumers to switch and save before the hikes take effect in April 2025. This year marks the third consecutive April when customers of Eir, Sky, Three, and Vodafone will see their monthly bills rise as part of an "annual price adjustment" mechanism.
Originally, these price adjustments were linked to the annual rate of inflation, with an additional 3% added each April. For example, if inflation for the preceding year was 2%, customers would experience a 5% increase in their bills. However, providers such as Eir and Vodafone have now shifted to fixed annual increases. From April, Vodafone’s broadband plans will see a charge of €3.50 per month added, while broadband and TV plans will increase by €4.50 each month.
Daragh Cassidy, Head of Communications at the price comparison site Bonkers.ie, highlighted that these consistent increases mean some customers might end up paying between 20% and 25% more for their broadband and TV subscriptions compared to three years ago. "This is the third April in a row that many of the main telecommunications providers will hike their prices," Cassidy noted, elaborating that while existing customers are faced with rising costs, the deals available to new customers have largely remained stable.
In more concrete terms, Cassidy remarked, "Someone who’s out of contract could be paying €80 a month or more for 500Mb fibre broadband. Whereas they could get it for less than half the price for a year by switching." He recommends that those out of contract should review their options, as there are significant savings available by simply changing providers. With many current contracts being tied at higher rates, consumers have the potential to lower their monthly expenses considerably.
For mobile phone customers, Cassidy advises considering switching to a SIM-only deal if they have fully paid off their devices. "Some SIM-only plans offer pretty much unlimited calls, texts, and 5G data from as little as €12.99 a month," he stated, emphasizing that there is no reason for anyone to continue paying upwards of €50 or €60 a month if they are no longer bound by a contract.
Sky, although not officially implementing an annual price adjustment, is also raising its prices by an average of 4.5% this April. This increase follows similar hikes in the previous two years, presenting a persistent trend of rising costs for consumers.
Despite the upward adjustments from Eir and Vodafone, Sky customers are facing an annual increase as suppliers continue to pressure consumers with climbing costs. Sky customers can expect bills to rise by as much as €96 annually. The increment on broadband products, aside from the Sky 1GB Fibre option, will reach €4 per month, or a total of €48 over the year.
For those hoping to avoid or mitigate these increases, price comparison platforms like Bonkers.ie urge consumers to shop around. The site has been vocal about the recent toll of price hikes on households. According to Cassidy, the message is clear: "Consumers don’t have to accept these price increases year in and year out. They can beat them by switching."
While the adjustments force many to tighten their belts, households are offered hope through competition in the telecom market. There remains a healthy number of attractive deals available which aim to entice new subscribers. As prices ripple outward, it’s imperative for consumers to take a proactive approach—particularly before the April hike comes into full effect.
Ahead of the April increases, Eir announced it is committed to enhancing its services, with claims that they will continue to invest significantly to maintain Ireland’s largest high-speed fibre and best-accessible 5G networks. The telecom giant noted that they have invested approximately €1.7 billion to expand these networks, along with an additional €500 million slated for future upgrades. According to Eir, this investment aims to underpin their efforts in delivering exceptional connectivity for all customers.
As the clock winds down to the price hike, time is of the essence for consumers. By taking time to assess their current service providers and exploring alternative options, savings could be substantial—not just during the next billing cycle but over the coming years.
In a climate where inflation pressures are prevalent, and household finances are being further strained by these telecom increases, it is essential for consumers to stay informed and leverage the competitive landscape. With various strategies available, anyone can seize the opportunity to make a switch and potentially reduce substantial monthly expenditures.
