Home phones

EE and Virgin Mobile customers are reporting widespread problems trying to make calls today.

Many broadband providers will be forced to give customers more accurate estimates of the speed they'll get before they sign up, under proposed new rules - and you'll have the right to walk away from your contract if speeds are slower than promised and don't improve within a month.

A cold-calling firm has been handed a record £400,000 fine after it made nearly 100 million nuisance calls in just 18 months.

Plusnet has become the latest home phone and broadband supplier to push up its prices for line rental, with customers facing a £1/month rise next month. But if you're affected and can find a better deal elsewhere, you can leave your contract penalty-free - or if you're willing to stay, you can beat the hike by haggling.

BT customers plagued by nuisance calls on their home phone are now able to divert them to an email-style 'junk' voicemail inbox. Here's how to activate the free service, plus other ways to escape spam calls.

The telecoms regulator will review the price of standalone landlines – which are purchased without broadband access or pay-to-view TV – over concerns the elderly and vulnerable are being hit hard by rising costs.

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.

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.