How broadband, TV and mobile customers 'could save hundreds a year'

Consumers could save hundreds of pounds per year by switching or haggling on their broadband, TV and mobile contracts, according to research from Which?.

The consumer group found that mobile customers who switched networks and swapped a phone contract for a Sim-only deal made the biggest savings – an average of £258 a year – across all the contracts included its the research.

Which? surveyed more than 5,000 customers whose broadband, combined broadband and TV, or mobile phone contract had ended in the past year, asking if they had switched or haggled, and how much they had saved on their bills in the process.

It found that consumers who stayed with their mobile network but haggled their way to a Sim-only deal also made an average saving of £210 a year.

Meanwhile, those who switched mobile contracts with a phone saved an average £79 and those who switched Sim-only deals saved £66. Customers who haggled with their current mobile provider saved an average £64 for bundled contracts and £41 for Sim-only deals.

Which? said that EE, 02 and Vodafone (VOD.L) customers who left their current network and changed to a different provider or a Sim-only deal saved an average of £163, £127 and £121, respectively.

The consumer group said that out-of-contract TV and broadband customers could typically save £169 by changing provider, adding that Sky customers could save an average £237 by switching.

TV and broadband customers who haggled with their current provider rather than switching still saved an average £99, according to the research.

Broadband-only customers who changed providers were found to save an average £100, with Which? saying that those who switched from Sky and Virgin Media could make even bigger savings of £160 and £155 on average, respectively.

Customers who haggled with their current broadband provider typically saved £65, the research showed, finding that Virgin Media and BT (BT-A.L) customers made even bigger annual savings of £92 and £85 respectively.

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Natalie Hitchins, Which? home products and services editor, said: "Ultimately, the power is in consumers’ hands and they should make sure they are getting value for money from their broadband, TV and mobile provider – whether by switching or haggling for a better deal."

“For years, Which?’s research has found that smaller mobile and broadband networks – such as Zen Internet and Smarty – outshine the Big Four," she said. "Anyone shopping around for a new provider should not overlook smaller providers as they often offer significant savings and better customer service."

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