News

Ogi scraps price hikes for customers helping to ease the pressure on household spending

Published

3 years ago

February 16, 2023

OGI, Wales’s leading alternative network provider (altnet), has today revealed plans to freeze prices – including this April’s mid-contract rise – until at least March 2024.

While millions of households are bracing themselves for price increases across their utility services this Spring, Ogi will ‘buck the trend’ and scrap this year’s annual price rise for existing customers, while continuing to offer its 6-months free deal to new home-users, all in a bid to help ease the pressure on rising household bills.

The Wales-based broadband provider, which reduced its overall package prices by 10% in response to the cost-of-living last year, is guaranteeing no new service price rises – for new and existing home customers – until the next review in 2024.

This follows on from the package of support for staff launched at the end of 2022, including financial planning advice and workshops, and a cost-of-living salary top up scheme accessed by around two-thirds of staff.

The popularity of full fibre broadband has gained momentum in recent years, with home and business customers increasingly looking for faster, more reliable connections. Ogi’s ultrafast fibre to the door (FTTP) services offer just that, and with its Gigabit-capable speeds, the provider has gained a reputation for excellent customer service in its first 18-months.

Chief Revenue officer, Sally-Anne Skinner, said: “We’re all feeling the squeeze right now – and it’s simply not the time to be adding onto already stretched household budgets.

“We know that people are facing so much pressure at the moment – and we’re not immune to it either. But right now it feels more important than ever that we give customers some reassurance, and help them balance the books, without the worry of price rises over the next year.”

Chief Executive Officer, Ben Allwright, added: “It’s not a decision taken lightly; as a business we continue to feel the pressures of rising energy and staffing costs, as well as the rising prices of raw materials throughout our supply chain. But this is about doing what we think is right for our customers and – in the long run – what is right for our growing business.

“As a critical utility provider, we’re proud to be in a position to support Welsh customers in this way, bringing a world-class service that has the potential to make a big difference to people at home and at work.”

Business owner and home customer from Haverfordwest, Martin Davies, said: “Work doesn’t end when I get home. I’m constantly on the internet, so a really good connection is important to me.

“Having an ultrafast connection gives me that added confidence I’ll get things done; and now, knowing the price isn’t going to go up this year is a huge relief – it’s almost like a digital caffeine kick at the end of the day.”

Broadband providers typically increase prices at the beginning of a new tax year based on the Consumer Pricing Index (CPI) rate announced in January, plus a discretionary percentage. This commitment from Ogi means no price rises for existing customers this year [2023], with a sector-leading 6-month free broadband and voice service offering for new home customers making the next-generation technology accessible to more people.

Entertainment

Free screening to focus on climate and nature crisis

Published

2 hours ago

May 25, 2026

Tom Sinclair

PUBLIC INVITED TO LETTERSTON EVENT HOSTED BY TRANSITION BRO GWAUN

A FREE public screening of The People’s Emergency Briefing is to be held at Letterston Memorial Hall on Friday, May 29.

The event, hosted by Transition Bro Gwaun, starts at 7:00pm, with doors opening at 6:30pm.

The screening will be introduced by Dr Sarah Beynon, of The Bug Farm, St Davids, and will be followed by a structured discussion on climate and nature risks and what they may mean for local communities.

The 50-minute film has been adapted from the National Emergency Briefing, held at Westminster Central Hall in November 2025, where more than 1,200 MPs, peers, business leaders, cultural figures, faith representatives, sports figures and media leaders gathered to hear from experts on climate and nature risks.

The briefing, introduced by Chris Packham CBE, examines the potential impact of climate and nature breakdown on food security, public health, infrastructure, the economy and national security.

Dr Beynon said: “We are in a biodiversity and climate emergency. We have destroyed over half of our wildlife. In my late father’s lifetime, we have destroyed 97% of our wildflower meadows.

“Over 80% of our habitats are in poor condition. Over 60% of our rivers are not in good health and one in five species is at risk of extinction.

“How do we want to leave this planet for future generations? Then ask yourself if you are prepared to act. If you are, the first step is to understand the issues facing us, and this film is a vital part of understanding the situation we are in so we can all step up and do something together.”

The People’s Emergency Briefing was launched nationwide in April and is now being screened in communities across the UK. Organisers say more than 300 showings have already taken place, with around 1,000 scheduled over the summer.

Further local screenings are also planned for Solva and Cardigan in June.

Transition Bro Gwaun said the Letterston event comes at a time when communities in Pembrokeshire are facing increasing pressure from severe weather, flooding, dry spells and wildfire risks.

November and December 2025 saw flooding affect many areas, with the Met Office confirming rainfall was more than 50% above average during that period.

The group said the event was not intended to be “doom and gloom”, but would also focus on practical and hopeful responses.

Henry Tufnell MP, Pembrokeshire county councillors and town and community councillors have been invited to attend.

Tom Latter, trustee at Transition Bro Gwaun, said: “TBG welcomes the opportunity to host one of many Emergency Briefing events around the UK, addressing the climate and nature crisis.

“Co-ordinated restorative action is urgently needed, and understanding of the urgency for honest commitment to resilience planning from all branches of society.”

Free tickets are available through Transition Bro Gwaun, and refreshments will be provided.

Climate

Free screening to focus on climate and nature crisis

Published

2 hours ago

May 25, 2026

Tom Sinclair