Mobile and broadband bills are about to go up, leaving millions of Brits lumped with higher costs, even if they’re in the middle of a contract.
Like clockwork, the companies that provide our phone and internet connections will hike prices this spring.
Depending on your contract start date, your price increase could vary. If you signed up this year, you’ll likely pay a fixed amount, thanks to new rules banning surprise mid-contract hikes. That being said, some providers (like BT, Vodafone and Three) are retroactively applying the change from 2024.
However, if your contract began earlier, you’ll still face the old inflation-linked increases, typically with an additional 3.9 per cent on top. But, let’s face it, many customers don’t pore over the fine print anyway.
So, when will the new charges take effect and how much extra will you pay? Here’s what you need to know, including the steps you can take to avoid paying more.
When do the price rises start?
From £1 to £4 per month: Your mobile and broadband costs should go up depending on when you signed up and the plan you’re on. (picture posed by model/Yui Mok/PA)
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Broadband and mobile phone prices in the UK typically increase around March or April every year.
In recent weeks, you’ve probably received a text or email from your provider warning you of the impending surcharge and detailing the extra amount or percentage you’ll have to pay.
How much extra will you pay?
As mentioned above, some customers will see rises in line with inflation, while others may face fixed hikes depending on when they signed up or upgraded. In addition, major firms aren’t raising prices for customers on plans for people on benefits, like Universal Credit.
For those on inflation-linked contracts, broadband prices will rise by an average of £21.99 annually, with some newer plans seeing increases of up to £42 a year, according to Uswitch.
Mobile users face similar increases, with an average increase of £15.90 for inflation-linked contracts, and up to £48 for newer deals.
Here’s a quick breakdown of price changes from various UK providers, according to MoneySavingExpert:
- £1.50 – £4/month depending on the plan (joined/upgraded on or after April 10, 2024)
- 6.4 per cent (on or before April 9, 2024).
- £1 – £1.80/month for pay-monthly mobile users
- £0.75/month for smartwatches, tablets, or mobile broadband
- 6.2 per cent for broadband and TV, including Sky Stream and Glass
- £1.50/month for out of contract mobile users
Out of contract? Try haggling for a better deal to avoid price hikes (Rui Vieira/PA)
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- Price increase: £3/month for broadband and landline customers (joined/upgraded after 12 August, 2024)
- Price increase: 6.2 per cent rise (joined/upgraded before 11 August, 2024)
- Price increase: 2.5 percent for Fixed Price Plus out of contract (from April 1, 2025)
- £1 – £2/month for mobile plans (joined/upgraded from September 8, 2024)
- £2/month for broadband users ((joined/upgraded from September 8, 2024)
- 6.4 per cent (joined/upgraded between Nov 2022 – Sept 2024).
- £3.50/month for broadband, landline, and TV customers (joined/upgraded from January 9, 2025)
- Up to 7.5 per cent rise (joined/upgraded on or before January 8, 2025).
- £1 – £3/month for broadband, mobile, tablet, and smartwatch plans (joined/upgraded on or before July 2, 2024)
- 6.4 per cent (joined/upgraded on or before July 1, 2024).
If you’re currently on a mobile or broadband contract, you’ll almost certainly be asked to fork out more.
That goes for customers on both SIM-only deals (where you pay a monthly fee for just calls, data, and texts) or phone and tariff contracts (where you’re paying off the cost of the handset alongside your monthly plan).
There are some exceptions, however. Pay-as-you-go users won’t see price hikes, as you only pay for what you use. Meanwhile, 30-day SIM-only contracts offer flexibility, allowing you to leave at short notice — so if you’re not happy with your new bill, you can easily switch to a cheaper deal.
How to avoid the price rise
Many providers include annual price hikes in their terms, which means leaving early could come with an exit fee. Not sure about your plan? Mobile customers can text ‘INFO’ to 85075 to find out if they can switch without incurring a penalty.
But, when your phone or broadband contract comes to an end, it’s worth knowing what your options are.
Sabrina Hoque, a telecoms expert at Uswitch, says consumers can fight back by switching providers.
“Price hikes of over £74 million a month are coming, but nine million broadband customers and 33 million mobile users who are out-of-contract can avoid them by switching,” she told The Standard.
To save on mobile bills, providers like VOXI, Lebara, and SMARTY offer fixed prices throughout the contract, while broadband users can look to regional providers like Trooli and YouFibre, who don’t increase prices mid-contract, Hoque noted.
Larger companies like Vodafone, Virgin Media, and Community Fibre are also freezing prices until 2026 for those who switch before April.
“Switching could save you big,” said Hoque. “On average, mobile customers who move to a SIM-only deal save £351, and broadband customers can save £181 a year.”
Save money by switching to pay-as-you-go (if you’re a lightweight user) or by shopping around for a cheap SIM-only deal online (PA)
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And remember, broadband providers must send you end-of-contract reminders, so you’ll know when it’s time to reassess your options without worrying about any extra fees once your contract ends.