Some internet bundle plans will soon be increased by as much as €72 a year. 

Eir, Vodafone and Three Ireland are all due to hike their prices in the next couple of months – something Newstalk’s Tech Correspondent Jess Kelly said is very much standard for the industry.

“It’s one of those details that is buried within the contract - very few people will go through it with a fine tooth comb,” she told Newstalk Breakfast. 

“But if you are to look at your contract with any of those service providers you’ve mentioned, you will see this written in. 

“At this time of the year, over the next few months, those companies will increase based on the consumer price index plus an extra 3%. 

“They look at the consumer price index, they see whether things are going up or down, they will pass that onto the consumer and then add the 3%.” 

A television with video streaming services and a remote control. Picture by: Michael Zech / Alamy Stock Photo

Last year, inflation in Ireland averaged out at 5.4% and is due to drop further to 2.6% this year. 

Despite this, telecom companies say the nature of their business is extremely costly and they require more revenue to compete. 

“Vodafone and Eir say this is to go alongside the investment they’re making to develop their networks,” Jess said. 

“But it does mean you will see a pretty hefty increase in your bill come April.”

Unless you would prefer to sell your television, unplug the internet and bin your phone, it’s unlikely you can avoid the price hike. 

Alternatively, Jess said it is time to open your laptop and scour the internet for a better deal.

“It goes into any type of contract that you have,” Jess said. 

“So, if you have a bundle, if you have a phone bill, if you have a business phone bill as well, you will see the increase. 

“It will be from anywhere between €2 and €5 in a lot of instances. 

“It could be as much as €6 depending on the price plan that you have. 

“So, it is worth going through, seeing what you’re paying at the moment, seeing what the competition is offering.” 

Parents and their daughter using a laptop. Picture by: Hero Images Inc. / Alamy Stock Photo.

Jess said it is “definitely worth shopping around” to find the best deal.

“It’s a really good time to shop around but do be mindful of the fact that a lot of the big players are increasing their prices at the moment,” she said. 

“If you’re paying for a landline and you don’t actually utilise it, maybe you can downgrade the bundle and save money that way?"

According to the CSO, 92% of Irish households had a connection to the internet in 2022.

Main image: A woman using a smartphone in a café. Picture by: Anna Berkut / Alamy Stock Photo