Podcast Summary: Hoy por Hoy – Las compañías de telecomunicaciones van a subir sus tarifas a partir de enero más que la inflación, hasta el 4%

Host: Àngels Barceló
Date: December 2, 2025
Main Theme:
This episode focuses on the impending price hikes announced by Spain’s major telecommunications companies, which will surpass the country’s inflation rate as 2026 begins. The discussion explores which companies are increasing tariffs, by how much, the justifications provided, and how these changes compare to the broader inflation context. The episode also previews forthcoming increases in other utility costs with the arrival of the new year.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. General Overview of Telecom Price Hikes

• Main message: Major telecom companies in Spain will increase their prices at the start of 2026 at rates notably above inflation, with rises averaging around 4%.
• Context: Although a month remains before the new year, listeners are warned to anticipate January’s traditional wave of price hikes, starting with telecoms.
• [00:26 | Host B]

  “Aunque aún falta un mes para el año nuevo, ya empezamos a hablar en nuestro tramo de economía de cómo 2026 va a llegar… con subidas de precio.”

2. Breakdown by Provider

• Más Orange:

  • Largest operator by number of customers in Spain.
  • Increase: 3.8% from January 12, 2026.
  • Impact: Customers will pay between 1 and 6 euros more per month, depending on their package.
  • Justification:
    • Need to support investment in infrastructure.
    • Improvement of audiovisual content included in packages.
  • [00:59–01:31 | Speaker C]

    “Las tarifas van a subir a partir del 12 de enero un 3,8%... La compañía justifica este incremento con dos argumentos: … sostener la inversión en la red y… mejorando los contenidos audiovisuales.”

• Movistar:

  • Second largest by customer base.
  • Increase: 4%, mostly applied to convergent packages (fiber, landline, mobile).
  • Effective from: January 13, 2026.
  • Impact: Increases of approximately 4 to 6 euros per month, package-dependent.
  • Notification: Written communications to customers, one month in advance as legally required.
  • [01:32–02:35 | Speaker C]

    “La subida se aplicará también a partir de enero, en este caso del día 13 para ser exactos... Se traducirá… en subidas de unos 4 o 6 euros al mes.”

• Vodafone:

  • Increase: 3.9%, effective January 8, 2026.
  • Impact: Between 2 and 5 euros more per month.
  • Justification: Rising audiovisual service costs and network investment.
  • [02:35–03:05 | Speaker C]

    “Todas coinciden prácticamente en la fecha y también se explica… por el incremento del coste de los servicios audiovisuales y por la inversión en red.”

3. Comparison to Inflation

• Current Inflation Rates:
  • Most recent 12-month rate is 3%.
  • 2025 average stands at 2.6%.
  • Telecom price hikes (around 4%) clearly surpass inflation.
  • Pattern: Not the first year – similar increases occurred in 2025.
  • [03:05–03:55 | Speaker C]

    “La subida de precios que plantean las empresas de telecomunicaciones está por encima de la inflación. Y no es el primer año que esto ocurre porque de hecho en 2025 ya ocurrió lo mismo...”

4. Other Impending Price Increases

• Broad warning: The coming price increases will not be limited to telecoms.
• Sectors likely affected:
  • Motorway tolls
  • Public transport tickets (often announced at year’s end)
  • Other utilities, e.g., water
• [04:06–04:48 | Speaker C]

  “Me temo que… enero siempre llega con subidas de precio en la mayoría de servicios... Habrá más subidas de precio que conoceremos en las próximas semanas.”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Suben más que la inflación porque el último dato de inflación dice que los precios han subido… un 3%. Si cogemos incluso la media de inflación de este año... está ahora mismo en el 2,6%. Así que... la subida de precios que plantean las empresas de telecomunicaciones está por encima de la inflación.”
  — [03:13 | Speaker C]

• “Nos iremos mentalizando.”
  — [04:48 | Host B]
  (A wry sign-off, encapsulating the resigned mood about ongoing price increases.)

Important Segment Timestamps

• 00:26 — Introduction to coming price increases for 2026
• 00:59 — Más Orange details
• 01:32 — Movistar details
• 02:35 — Vodafone details
• 03:05–03:55 — Inflation comparison and price-hike pattern
• 04:06 — Preview of increases in transport and other utilities

Takeaways

• The Spanish telecom giants will raise prices by close to 4% in January 2026, blaming cost increases and enhanced TV content, despite inflation being lower.
• All major providers are moving in tandem, timing their increases within a few days of each other.
• This practice is not new; similar above-inflation rises occurred the previous year.
• Listeners are cautioned to brace for more January price increases beyond telecoms, as public transport, tolls, and utilities are expected to follow suit.