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Virtually all telecom operators have raised rates in recent months. What can you do to reduce your bill?

The bottom line: since last year, life has become significantly more expensive. We notice this not only when we go to the store. Even when we pay the telecom bill we have to put more money on the table than a year ago.

  • All major players have raised prices in recent months as a result of high inflation. Among other things, they saw a sharp increase in labor costs as a result.
    • Telenet is even due for its second price increase in a year. The telecom giant announced earlier this month that subscription rates will be raised by 6 percent on June 5. The previous price adjustment was from April last year, when it added 4.7 percent.

Save up to 240 euros by comparing

There is not much competition in the market, but don't let that stop you from comparing telecom companies. There are some smaller players active on the Belgian market offering lower rates than the telecom giants.

  • The regulator BIPT has already stressed several times that we change our telecom subscriptions too little. The big players therefore have little reason to show off their favorable rates.
  • Via bestetarief.be, the price comparer of the regulator BIPT, you can compare all operators at once.
  • Also check whether it is advantageous to take out an umbrella subscription with the same operator. Sometimes it is cheaper to buy a mobile subscription from operator X and an Internet subscription from operator Y.

BIPT's latest comparison shows that you can save up to €241 per year by comparing different providers.

Say goodbye to digital television

Many use a digital decoder to watch TV at home. This usually comes with a hefty price tag.

  • With Orange, you pay 19 euros a month to use a decoder. The telecom giant also offers an option where you can watch TV via the Orange app. In that case, you pay 10 euros per month.
  • At Telenet, the monthly price tag runs to 20.9 euros. As with Orange, with Telenet you get the option to watch without a so-called TV box. Price tag: 9.94 euros per month.
  • Proximus does not offer the option to take out a TV subscription without a digicoder when you put together your telecom package.

Necessary? The question is whether those decoders are still necessary to watch TV. The largest TV channels now have their own apps with which you can watch their programs live or at other times free of charge. You can connect those apps to your smart TV without any problems. Those in possession of a regular TV can buy a device, such as the Chromecast, with which you can still stream your favorite programs on your big screen. In that case, you pay a one-time price - around 40 euros - to then watch TV for free.

  • So that way you can quickly save 20 euros per month.
  • Important: not all channels have their own app. Therefore, check whether your favorite channels offer that option before you say goodbye to your decoder.

Check your consumption

Finally, check whether your telecom package is still fully customized. Among other things, let your light shine on the data you consume on your smartphone. For example, if you only need 5 gigabytes (GB) of mobile data per month, a cell phone subscription with unlimited consumption makes little sense.

  • At Orange, the price difference between the cheapest cell phone subscription (4 GB) and the most expensive alternative (300 GB) is 35 euros per month.
  • Telenet offers a formula that allows unlimited calling and surfing (via the mobile network). For that subscription, you pay 69 euros per month. If you use only 5 GB, you pay 16 euros a month, or 53 euros less.
  • With Proximus, for the cheapest cell phone subscription (3GB) you pay 16 euros per month. Those who opt for the most expensive formula (unlimited) see the monthly price tag rise to 50 euros. That's 34 euros more expensive.

(fjc)

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