A Blackburn broadband company says it will not be increasing its prices mid-contract.

Opus Broadband provides internet access to homes across the region and said they ‘will not be raising prices’.

Based on the latest inflation figures, monthly prices for millions of broadband customers could go up by a 7.9%. The price occurs once a year, and is tied to the Consumer Price Index (CPI) or Retail Price Index (RPI) inflation rate published at the beginning of each year.

This is done despite customers being under contract.

Analysis by Ofcom of providers' data shows that as of April 2023 four in 10 (11 million) broadband customers and more than half of mobile customers (36 million) were on contracts subject to inflation-linked price rises.

According to their research, more than half (55%) of broadband customers and pay monthly mobile customers (58%) do not know what inflation rates such as CPI and RPI measure. 

Ofcom concluded that ‘inflation-linked mid-contract price rise terms can cause substantial amounts of consumer harm by complicating the process of shopping for a deal, limiting consumer engagement, and making competition less effective as a result.’

A spokesperson for Opus Broadband said: “What is a point of a contract if you cannot stick to it?

“At Opus Broadband we understand that customers can get frustrated when their prices go up mid-contract. That is why we are committed to keeping our word.

“When you sign up with us that is what you will pay until your contract is up. Customers deserve the best prices when they need them most.”

As part of Opus Broadband’s commitment to communities across the Northwest the company said it is also running their ‘Internet For Everyone’ campaign as part of which they donate free broadband connections to families without and to organisations that provide vital services to their community.