NTL has described as "speculation" rumours that it is to increase the price of its 128k service from May 1.

Postings on its nthellworld Web site point to a £3 a month increase - from £14.99 to £17.99 - from the beginning of May.

There are even suggestions that prices for its digital TV packages could also rise.

A spokeswoman for the cableco said she had "no information on a price rise" and that there was currently "nothing to announce". She also said that "all companies constantly look at their products and prices".

However, there could be something in the rumours since in the past NTL has introduced price rises during this time of the year.

NTL has around 500,000 broadband customers. ®