英國寬頻價格在生活成本危機中飆升；建議消費者仔細檢查儲蓄帳單

在生活成本危機中，英國寬頻用戶面臨大幅價格上漲：BT、Plusnet、EE、Sky、O2和Virgin Media已將資費上調高達8.8%。然而，消費者可以透過檢查合約到期、評估網路速度要求、考慮套餐優惠、比較比較網站上的選項、與提供者談判、威脅取消以及為符合條件的人探索社會關稅來降低成本。

Broadband Price Surges Hit UK Amidst Cost of Living Crisis: Consumers Urged to Scrutinize Bills for Savings

生活成本危機期間寬頻價格飆升衝擊英國：敦促消費者仔細檢查帳單以節省開支

In the midst of the ongoing cost of living crisis, broadband users across the United Kingdom have been dealt a significant blow with substantial price increases implemented by leading service providers. Since April, BT, Plusnet, and EE have hiked their prices by 7.9%, Sky by 8%, and O2 and Virgin Media by a staggering 8.8%. These increases have impacted even those within fixed-price contracts, exacerbating the financial strain on households.

在持續的生活成本危機中，英國各地的寬頻用戶受到了領先服務供應商大幅漲價的沉重打擊。自 4 月以來，BT、Plusnet 和 EE 的價格上漲了 7.9%，Sky 上漲了 8%，O2 和 Virgin Media 上漲了 8.8%。這些上漲甚至影響了固定價格合約中的人，加劇了家庭的財務壓力。

However, by carefully examining broadband expenditures, consumers can uncover unexpected avenues for savings. Liz Hunter, director at Money Expert, has provided a comprehensive guide on how to significantly reduce broadband costs.

然而，透過仔細檢查寬頻支出，消費者可以發現意想不到的節省途徑。 Money Expert 總監 Liz Hunter 提供了有關如何大幅降低寬頻成本的全面指南。

Key Strategies to Lower Broadband Bills

降低寬頻費用的關鍵策略

1. Check Contract Expiration:

1.查看合約到期時間：

Verifying the terms of your contract is crucial to determine if you are still bound by its stipulations. If your contract has expired, you are no longer obligated to the agreement and can switch to a more cost-effective deal without incurring exit fees.

驗證合約條款對於確定您是否仍受其規定的約束至關重要。如果您的合約已過期，您就不再有協議義務，可以轉而選擇更具成本效益的交易，而無需支付退出費用。

2. Assess Actual Internet Speed Needs:

2. 評估實際的網路速度需求：

Consider your daily internet usage habits. If you primarily engage in casual browsing, email correspondence, and low-resolution video streaming, a speed of 30MBps or less may be sufficient. However, if your household includes multiple users, relies on the internet for work or entertainment, and simultaneously operates numerous devices, higher speeds may be warranted.

考慮您日常的網路使用習慣。如果您主要進行休閒瀏覽、電子郵件通訊和低解析度視訊串流，30MBps 或更低的速度可能就足夠了。但是，如果您的家庭中有多個用戶，依賴互聯網進行工作或娛樂，並且同時操作多個設備，則可能需要更高的速度。

Upgrading to ultra-fast speeds comes at a higher cost. For instance, a 24-month contract with BT currently offers 36Mbps for £28.99 per month, while 500Mbps ultra-fast speed would increase the monthly cost to £49.99. Over the contract period, this equates to an additional expense of over £500.

升級到超高速的成本更高。例如，與 BT 簽訂的 24 個月合約目前提供 36Mbps 每月費用為 28.99 英鎊，而 500Mbps 超高速將使每月費用增加到 49.99 英鎊。在合約期間內，這相當於額外費用超過 500 英鎊。

If you are within your contract and believe you could manage with a lower speed, this can be used as a bargaining chip to negotiate a reduced price with your current provider. Additionally, if you are out of contract, this knowledge can help you avoid paying for excess speed when securing a new deal.

如果您在合約範圍內並且相信您可以以較低的速度進行管理，那麼這可以用作與當前提供者協商降價的籌碼。此外，如果您的合約到期，這些知識可以幫助您在簽訂新合約時避免為超速支付費用。

3. Consider Package Deals:

3.考慮套餐優惠：

Many providers offer bundled packages that combine broadband, television, and mobile services at a reduced total cost compared to purchasing each service separately. While this can be a strategy for immediate savings, it is essential to avoid purchasing bundles that include unnecessary services.

許多供應商提供將寬頻、電視和行動服務結合在一起的捆綁套餐，與單獨購買每項服務相比，總成本更低。雖然這可以是立即節省成本的策略，但必須避免購買包含不必要服務的捆綁包。

Bundling can make it more challenging to cancel, switch providers, or negotiate mid-contract price increases. Carefully assess your needs and opt for a package that aligns with your actual usage patterns.

捆綁銷售可能會使取消、更換供應商或協商合約中期價格上漲變得更具挑戰性。仔細評估您的需求並選擇符合您實際使用模式的軟體包。

4. Use Comparison Websites to Find the Best Deals:

4. 使用比較網站尋找最優惠的價格：

Equipped with information regarding your speed requirements and willingness to consider bundle deals, visit comparison websites to identify providers offering the most competitive prices. Take note of the provider, contract length, speed, monthly cost, set-up cost, and any bonuses or incentives included in each deal.

在了解有關您的速度要求和考慮捆綁交易的意願的資訊後，請訪問比較網站，以確定提供最具競爭力價格的提供者。記下提供者、合約期限、速度、每月成本、設定成本以及每筆交易中包含的任何獎金或激勵措施。

5. Negotiate:

5、談判：

Once you have gathered the necessary information, contact your current provider and initiate the negotiation process. According to Which?, customers who call and bargain with their broadband providers typically save an average of 7%, which can partially offset the recent price increases.

收集必要的資訊後，請聯絡您目前的提供者並啟動談判過程。據 Which? 稱，致電寬頻供應商並討價還價的客戶通常平均可以節省 7%，這可以部分抵消最近的價格上漲。

If you are nearing the end of your contract or have already expired it, inquire if they can match the deals you found online or offer a lower price. If you are still within your contract, use your research to negotiate a more favorable deal.

如果您的合約即將到期或已經到期，請詢問他們是否可以與您在網路上找到的交易相符或提供更低的價格。如果您仍在合約期間內，請利用您的研究來協商更有利的交易。

Potential negotiation strategies include requesting the cancellation of services you do not utilize, adding services to secure an overall discount, or reducing your internet speed. Leveraging the deals you have found online can strengthen your bargaining position.

潛在的談判策略包括要求取消您不使用的服務、添加服務以確保整體折扣或降低您的網路速度。利用您在網路上找到的交易可以增強您的討價還價地位。

If you have been a loyal customer for an extended period, highlighting your customer loyalty may also yield favorable results.

如果您長期以來一直是忠實的客戶，突出您的客戶忠誠度也可能會產生有利的結果。

6. Threaten to Cancel:

6. 威脅取消：

If negotiations fail to produce a satisfactory outcome, threatening to cancel your service can be an effective tactic. However, if you are still within a lengthy contract, ascertain the exit fee before proceeding.

如果談判未能產生令人滿意的結果，威脅取消您的服務可能是有效的策略。但是，如果您仍處於長期合約期間內，請在繼續之前確定退出費用。

If you are out of contract or comfortable paying the potential exit penalty, you are in a stronger bargaining position. Inform your provider of your intention to cancel. This will often trigger a transfer to the "customer retention" team, who typically have greater authority to offer discounts and incentives to retain your business.

如果您解除合約或願意支付潛在的退出罰金，那麼您的談判地位就更有利。告知您的提供者您打算取消。這通常會觸發轉移到「客戶保留」團隊，該團隊通常擁有更大的權力來提供折扣和激勵措施以保留您的業務。

7. Social Tariffs:

7. 社會關稅：

Individuals experiencing financial difficulties may qualify for social tariffs, which are reduced-rate broadband deals designed to assist those on low incomes. Eligibility criteria typically include receiving benefits such as universal credit, pension credit, or jobseeker's allowance.

遇到經濟困難的個人可能有資格獲得社會關稅，這是旨在幫助低收入者的寬頻降價交易。資格標準通常包括接受普遍信貸、退休金信貸或求職者津貼等福利。

Contact your provider to inquire about social tariffs and request a switch if they offer one. If your current provider does not offer a social tariff, you may consider switching to a provider that does. In such cases, your provider may waive the exit fee on your existing contract.

請聯絡您的提供者詢問社會資費，如果他們提供的話，請要求轉換。如果您目前的提供者不提供社會資費，您可以考慮切換到提供社會資費的提供者。在這種情況下，您的提供者可能會免除您現有合約的退出費用。

By implementing these strategies, consumers can effectively reduce their broadband expenses and mitigate the financial impact of recent price increases. Careful analysis of contracts, negotiation tactics, and exploration of available options can lead to significant savings, empowering individuals to balance their budgets in the face of rising living costs.

透過實施這些策略，消費者可以有效減少寬頻費用並減輕近期價格上漲的財務影響。仔細分析合約、談判策略以及探索可用的選擇可以節省大量資金，使個人能夠在生活成本不斷上漲的情況下平衡預算。