Virgin Media announces price rises in broadband, TV and phone services.

The cable firm, which supplies phone, broadband and TV to about 4m households, said its landline charge would rise by £1 a month to £16.99 from 1 February.

Customers who take its two smallest bundles – that offer combined TV, broadband, landline and calls – will see their monthly bill rise by £36 a year.

The highest spending households – those on its Big Daddy and Big Kahunabundles, which include Sky Sports/Movies, unlimited calls and the fastest broadband – will pay £4.50 a month more, with some customers paying £99.50 a month, or £1,194 a year, for their service.

Overall customers are seeing an average 5.9% increase, the company said. This is well above the rate of inflation.

Unlike its rivals, Virgin Media said it would not increase its calls charges and that its 1571 ansaphone service would remain free. BT and Sky now charge for this service – £22.20 a year in BT’s case.

Virgin Rental Saver rises by £20 a year to £164, although customers can save nearly £40 by paying for 12 months’ line rental upfront.

Dana Strong, chief operating officer at Virgin Media said: “Some of our prices are changing so we can continue to invest in giving our customers more of what they want – the best entertainment packages and unbeatable superfast broadband.

“There are no changes to our call charges or talk plans. We’re doing everything we can to keep any increase as low as possible, especially for our existing customers.”

From 1 December, BT customers will pay £16.99a month, up from £15.99 a month for landlines, and face higher charges too. In October, Skyand TalkTalkannounced similar moves.

Generally customers who pre-pay their annual landline charges have been hardest hit. The phone companies have clearly decided too many people were taking advantage of these offers, which have hit revenues accordingly.

• Consumers are being offered some very attractive deals to switch supplier. Sky, EE and Plusnet are all offering cashback or vouchers deals for those who are prepared to switch. For a list of the deals, go to MoneySavingExpertsite.