英国宽带价格在生活成本危机中飙升；建议消费者仔细检查储蓄账单

在生活成本危机中，英国宽带用户面临大幅价格上涨：BT、Plusnet、EE、Sky、O2和Virgin Media已将资费上调高达8.8%。然而，消费者可以通过检查合同到期、评估互联网速度要求、考虑套餐优惠、比较比较网站上的选项、与提供商谈判、威胁取消以及为符合条件的人探索社会关税来降低成本。

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

生活成本危机期间宽带价格飙升冲击英国：敦促消费者仔细检查账单以节省开支

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.

在持续的生活成本危机中，英国各地的宽带用户受到了领先服务提供商大幅涨价的沉重打击。自 4 月份以来，BT、Plusnet 和 EE 的价格上涨了 7.9%，Sky 上涨了 8%，O2 和 Virgin Media 上涨了 8.8%。这些上涨甚至影响到了固定价格合同中的人，加剧了家庭的财务压力。

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，通过仔细检查宽带支出，消费者可以发现意想不到的节省途径。 Money Expert 总监 Liz Hunter 提供了有关如何大幅降低宽带成本的全面指南。

Key Strategies to Lower Broadband Bills

降低宽带费用的关键策略

1. Check Contract Expiration:

1.查看合同到期时间：

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.

验证合同条款对于确定您是否仍受其规定的约束至关重要。如果您的合同已过期，您就不再有协议义务，可以转而选择更具成本效益的交易，而无需支付退出费。

2. Assess Actual Internet Speed Needs:

2. 评估实际的互联网速度需求：

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.

考虑您日常的互联网使用习惯。如果您主要进行休闲浏览、电子邮件通信和低分辨率视频流，30MBps 或更低的速度可能就足够了。但是，如果您的家庭中有多个用户，依赖互联网进行工作或娱乐，并且同时操作多个设备，则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.

升级到超高速的成本更高。例如，与 BT 签订的 24 个月合同目前提供 36Mbps 每月费用为 28.99 英镑，而 500Mbps 超高速将使每月费用增加到 49.99 英镑。在合同期内，这相当于额外费用超过 500 英镑。

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.

如果您在合同范围内并且相信您可以以较低的速度进行管理，那么这可以用作与当前提供商协商降价的筹码。此外，如果您的合同到期，这些知识可以帮助您在签订新合同时避免为超速支付费用。

3. Consider Package Deals:

3.考虑套餐优惠：

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.

许多提供商提供将宽带、电视和移动服务结合在一起的捆绑套餐，与单独购买每项服务相比，总成本更低。虽然这可以是立即节省成本的策略，但必须避免购买包含不必要服务的捆绑包。

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.

捆绑销售可能会使取消、更换供应商或协商合同中期价格上涨变得更具挑战性。仔细评估您的需求并选择符合您实际使用模式的软件包。

4. Use Comparison Websites to Find the Best Deals:

4. 使用比较网站寻找最优惠的价格：

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.

了解有关您的速度要求和考虑捆绑交易的意愿的信息后，请访问比较网站，以确定提供最具竞争力价格的提供商。记下提供商、合同期限、速度、每月成本、设置成本以及每笔交易中包含的任何奖金或激励措施。

5. Negotiate:

5、谈判：

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.

收集必要的信息后，请联系您当前的提供商并启动谈判过程。据 Which? 称，致电宽带提供商并讨价还价的客户通常平均可以节省 7%，这可以部分抵消最近的价格上涨。

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.

如果您的合同即将到期或已经到期，请询问他们是否可以与您在网上找到的交易相匹配或提供更低的价格。如果您仍在合同期内，请利用您的研究来协商更有利的交易。

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.

潜在的谈判策略包括要求取消您不使用的服务、添加服务以确保整体折扣或降低您的互联网速度。利用您在网上找到的交易可以增强您的讨价还价地位。

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

如果您长期以来一直是忠实的客户，突出您的客户忠诚度也可能会产生有利的结果。

6. Threaten to Cancel:

6. 威胁取消：

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.

如果谈判未能产生令人满意的结果，威胁取消您的服务可能是一种有效的策略。但是，如果您仍处于长期合同期内，请在继续之前确定退出费用。

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.

如果您解除合同或愿意支付潜在的退出罚金，那么您的谈判地位就更有利。告知您的提供商您打算取消。这通常会触发转移到“客户保留”团队，该团队通常拥有更大的权力来提供折扣和激励措施以保留您的业务。

7. Social Tariffs:

7. 社会关税：

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.

遇到经济困难的个人可能有资格获得社会关税，这是旨在帮助低收入人群的宽带降价交易。资格标准通常包括接受普遍信贷、养老金信贷或求职者津贴等福利。

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.

请联系您的提供商询问社会资费，如果他们提供的话，请请求转换。如果您当前的提供商不提供社会资费，您可以考虑切换到提供社会资费的提供商。在这种情况下，您的提供商可能会免除您现有合同的退出费。

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.

通过实施这些策略，消费者可以有效减少宽带费用并减轻近期价格上涨的财务影响。仔细分析合同、谈判策略以及探索可用的选择可以节省大量资金，使个人能够在生活成本不断上涨的情况下平衡预算。