UPC customers face second price hike

Half a million UPC customers are to be hit with a price hike from next month — the second increase by the company in less than 12 months.

From March 1 it is increasing its charges by an average of 4.5%, or around €3.21, depending on the services being used.

However, the company has admitted that prices will be higher for consumers who are outside of certain bundled UPC packages.

The company said the price hikes were necessary due to rising costs, but that customers on bundled products (TV, broadband, phone) are able to achieve the best value.

“UPC is keeping this necessary increase to the minimum possible. We know that any price changes are unwelcome. This is a moderate price adjustment averaging 4.5% due to generally rising costs — in particular overall programming and operating costs,” said a statement.

UPC is also offering a €3.50 self-serve discount for customers who choose to manage their accounts online through MyUPC.ie and is removing the €3.75 payment administration fee for non-direct debt customers.

It is also offering its cable customer base free upgrades to Horizon TV and a broadband speed upgrade to 120Mb or above.

All existing TV customers are being offered a free Horizon TV installation with self-install, while over 270,000 broadband customers will have their speed increased to 120Mb, or will be given the option to upgrade to 120Mb for no extra charge.

The company said that although prices for products outside a bundle will “vary,” customers “will at all times be offered our best value services in a bundle”.