Majority of Scots want broadband bills regulated, amid £120 price hike for some households

A majority of Scots want broadband bills to be regulated, a survey has found.

Four out of five people say they want the bills regulated as inflation continues to push prices up by almost £120 for some households.

A study, by OpinionMatters for Brillband, found that, of 1,000 people, 78% of broadband customers believe the communications regulator Ofcom should crack down on year-on-year price hikes.

The costs of broadband have risen by approximately 11% this year, with some reporting their yearly spend has increased by as much as £119.88 since August 2021.

An investigation into prices was launched by Ofcom earlier this year, the probe analysed whether telecoms companies were being upfront with customers about price increases.

It was found that companies such as BT, Vodafone and EE increasing their prices in line with the consumer price index, plus 3.9%.

Duncan Di Biase, the founder of Brillband, a Glasgow-based broadband provider, accused big companies of “pushing people into poverty” by forcing them to pay “unaffordable rates”.

He said: “Millions of customers are being overcharged and underserved at a time when so many are struggling to make ends meet.

“These findings show it’s time for the regular to step in and ensure households can stay connected without having to worry about huge increases to their bills.

“While it’s welcome news that Ofcom is conducting its own investigation into how transparent some providers have been with their customers, they need to go one step further and provide reassurance to people who are struggling.

“People need help now more than ever and it should be Ofcom’s responsibility to ensure families aren’t being pushed into poverty as a result of unaffordable broadband rates.”

Ofcom has said around four million UK households could be getting cheaper broadband by signing up to a social tariff, a low-cost broadband deal offered to customers on benefits.