British Telecom PLC (LON:BT.A) is to start charging BT Sport watchers and will put up broadband costs for all users from April.
Up until now BT Sport had been free to BT TV subscribers, but from next August the annual sports subscription will be £42 or £3.50 per month. Those who watch through a SkyBox will also pay more.
From April, the cost of using BT’s copper and infinity broadband services will rise by £2 and £2.50 per month respectively while the telecoms giant has also put up the cost of a range of calls.
BT’s consumer head John Petter said customers would get a better package and improved service in exchange for paying a little more.
Basic telephony line rental would be unchanged at £17.99 this year, he added.
Sky PLC (LON:SKY) too has confirmed it will put its line rental charges up from 1 March, but has not yet published the details of the bill increases.
Shares in BT rose by 2.3% to 387p, while Sky was unchanged at £10.