Broadband

House hunters would rather purchase a property that had previously been a drug den or a brothel than buy a home that didn't have access to high-speed broadband, according to a poll of MoneySavingExpert.com users.

Three million TalkTalk customers are facing price hikes next month of up to £33/year for their broadband, phone and TV packages. But it's possible to beat the hikes – you can quit your contract penalty-free, swap to a cheaper 'fixed low price plan' or try to haggle a better deal.

Telecoms giant TalkTalk has been fined a record £400,000 by the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) after a huge breach of its customers' data last year.

BBC iPlayer will require users to set up an account and log in to use the service from next year, it was announced today. But the BBC insists the move isn't a way to enforce new rules which require you to have a TV licence if watching iPlayer.

The holidays are over, September's here, it's back to reality (if you ever left it), so I wanted to go back to basics. A check-up if you like, to see if you could save yourself £1,000s. So no apology to MoneySaving aficionados - hopefully you'll pass with flying colours - as it's always worth a check, especially if you're one of those who reads this email, yet doesn't always act...

Telecoms giant BT wrongly charged customers with a limited broadband package for exceeding their usage cap in June, MoneySavingExpert.com has learned – and the firm is now writing to those affected to tell them they will be refunded.

5.2 million Virgin Media home phone, broadband and TV customers will see prices rise by an average of 5.1% from November. But you'll be able to leave your contract penalty-free, or if you want to stay, you may be able to beat the hike by haggling.

Around half a million Post Office customers are facing steep home phone and broadband price hikes next month, with the cost of some packages set to increase by up to £36/year. But if you're affected it's possible to leave your contract penalty-free or haggle a better deal.

Vodafone remains the most complained-about mobile firm by a clear distance, according to the latest stats from the telecoms regulator Ofcom which cover January to March of this year. It comes as MoneySavingExpert.com continues to warn all Vodafone customers to check their bills ASAP.

Plusnet is to hike its home phone and broadband prices for a second consecutive year, with some customers paying up to £30/year more from 1 September. But if you're affected, you can leave your contract penalty-free, or if you're willing to stay, you can beat the hike by haggling.