UK and Ireland regulators raise broadband, mobile and electricity bills

The UK communications regulator Ofcom has introduced a rule requiring providers to state price increases in pounds and pence at the point of sale, resulting in mobile bills rising by £1.80 to £2.50 a month and fixed broadband fees increasing by £2 to £4. The rule, effective from January 2025, also gives customers a 30‑day warning and a penalty‑free exit if increases were not clearly disclosed.

In Ireland, the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) approved a hike in electricity network charges of about €41 per year for a typical household, to fund grid upgrades and renewable energy connections. The increase will be partially offset by a 66% cut in the Public Service Obligation levy. Both regulators say the measures are needed to support investment and improve supply security, though they will add to household costs.