A guide to broadband price increases

Author: Emma Davenport

Last updated: 08 November 2024

Are broadband prices going up?

If you sign up for a broadband contract, you’d be forgiven for thinking that your monthly bill is fixed for that duration. Unfortunately, it’s very likely the majority of broadband customers now face a price increase every year. 

Some of the biggest names in the broadband sector have added clauses to their terms and conditions allowing them to bump up the price of their broadband packages annually (normally around spring). This includes BT, Vodafone, EE, Virgin Media and TalkTalk.

Ofcom rules imposed in 2024 means that any prices written into a customer’s contract from January 2025 will need to be set out in pounds and pence. But there’s currently no limit to how much providers can charge extra. With every additional year you’re with the same provider, you’ll be paying more.

With so many providers adding price hikes into their clauses, it’s a case of being aware, choosing your deals carefully and budgeting for the duration of your contract - not just the initial monthly price.

Switching as soon as your contract expires is also the best way of resetting and ridding the extra expense you’ve accumulated.

Can my provider hike prices? Are broadband mid-contract price increases legal?

If we were talking about gas or electricity, fixed tariffs are available to make sure suppliers can’t increase the price you pay, unless the government has raised VAT. There’s currently nothing like this in place for broadband or mobile customers. As long as internet service providers (ISPs) notify their customers and give them fair notice of price increases (the standard period is 30 days), no laws are broken.

The UK communications regulator, Ofcom has strict rules in place that means providers must make potential price rises clear to new customers when they sign up, and in real money (not a percentage).

Over the course of this page, we’d like to help you work out how much it’s likely your broadband bill will go up. We’ll also let you know if there’s anything you can do to keep your bills as low as possible.

• What is an ISP?

  Your ISP is your Internet Service Provider. This is the company responsible for providing your internet connection. It's not always the same company that owns and operates the line. If you have a BT telephone line, but you pay your broadband bills to Sky, Sky is your ISP.

When do broadband and mobile phone prices go up?

Broadband and mobile prices are likely to rise annually. In recent years, most providers chose 31st March or 1st April. Mid-contract price hikes are now officially set for these dates in 2025 and subsequent years.

Going forwards, providers must inform their customers of any price rises in good time (normally 30 days). You should check your inbox, spam or text messages to see if you’ve received a message. It’s very unlikely you’ll receive confirmation of this in the post.

Why do broadband prices increase?

Each broadband provider cites its different reasons for raising its prices, but the general line is that it’s to ensure networks are maintained and developed. For example, Vodafone claims increased costs are put towards network investment and improved technology. Virgin also states this as a reason, but states rising costs have a part to play, too. Meanwhile, others, like BT, don’t provide many details, but simply justify their price rise as being inflation-based.

Which broadband providers will increase your monthly prices every year?

Remember: you can always double-check future price hikes in our comparison listings by expanding on the 'Full details' tab.

Which broadband providers allow you to switch mid-contract?

To answer this, you’ll need to dig a little deeper into the small print of your contract. This is going to differ for everyone and will depend on the terms you signed up to, or whether there were any special deals at the time. Sometimes providers will make a promotion out of the fact they promise not to raise prices during a contract term with a phrase like ‘Fixed Price Promise’.

It’s very common for price hikes to be included in a contract. Before you sign up to a new provider, you should always have a good look through and scan for these terms to make sure you’re comfortable with this potentially happening.

Sky currently doesn't have price rises included in its contract. This means that customers can leave their contract within 30 days of being notified of any price hikes. It doesn't mean price hikes can't be applied. You will still also be required to pay early termination fees if you're signed up to a TV service.

Broadband deals with no mid-contract price rises

If you’re looking to switch from your current provider, or sign up to a new broadband deal, but you’re worried about being hit by price hikes in the future, we’ve got a few suggestions. Those that include a fixed price guarantee include:

• Hyperoptic
• Trooli
• Cuckoo
• Brsk
• Fibrely
• V4 Consumer
• Rebel
• Zen Internet
• Airband
• Lit Fibre

Just bear in mind, some of these smaller ISPs have limited availability across the UK. To check whether these are available to you, you can pop your address into our deals checker.

Can I negotiate a broadband price increase?

You might not have success haggling price increases, especially as they affect so many customers, but it’s important to get in touch if you’re struggling with your bills going up. It may be possible to tweak packages, especially if you have bundled extras. Some providers also offer discounted fibre broadband social tariffs for those on low income, or receiving benefits.

For more information on this, read our guide to social tariffs and cheaper broadband for people on benefits, Universal Credit and lower incomes.

Social tariff broadband plans are available from the following ISPs:

• BT
• Community Fibre
• EE
• Hyperoptic
• KCOM
• NOW Broadband
• 4th Utility
• Sky Broadband
• Virgin Media
• TalkTalk (for jobseekers only)
• Vodafone
• YouFibre

TalkTalk Fixed Price Plus

It's worth noting that TalkTalk offers an add-on to its full fibre and standard fibre plans called 'Fixed Price Plus'. For an extra £4 per month, it makes assurances customers won't see a broadband price increase for the duration of their contract. It also promises no out of contract price rises above the rate of inflation. 

Can I cancel my broadband due to a price increase?

Cancelling a broadband contract as a stand against a price hike only really works out if you’re out of contract. If you decide to cancel a broadband contract ahead of time, you’re likely to have to pay an exit fee. These early termination charges could easily end up costing more than your mid-term contract price increase.

As a guide, many will make you pay your monthly price for as long you have left on contract. You don’t need a calculator to work out this could add up to £100s! Sizing things up, you may be best to sit tight and take action as soon as you can. Mark your contract end date in your calendar and look for a better deal as soon as you’re able.

If you’re out of contract, or you know your contract period will expire shortly, now is the perfect time to switch broadband providers.

Although price hikes affect new customers as well and costs are rising across the board, you may be able to balance out the total contract cost with other perks, such as free gifts or vouchers. Or maybe you can get more for your money with a faster, more reliable package for the same price?

FAQs about broadband price rises

• Why is my broadband bill so high?

  Unfortunately, the majority of broadband providers raise their prices every year for customers, even when they’re still in their minimum term. Previously, this was based on the Consumer Price Index rate (CPI) plus another percentage set by the provider. From next year, providers have been told they have to give a clear, fixed price in pounds and pence.

  These totals soon add up. For example, if you took out a 2-year contract by the end of your deal you could easily end up paying around £72 more per year...or even more!

  The best way to combat these price rises is to switch or renegotiate as soon as your contract is up. Providers make the most amount of money on customers who simply let their service continue. A new customer is king! ISPs are falling over themselves to get you on board. As well as slashing price rise costs, you can also make use of exclusive deals such as gift cards for an added bonus.

• How can I find a broadband deal with no price increase guarantee?

  If a provider promises customers that there will be no price rises during their contract, our listings will show a ‘fixed price promise’ message. You can also find more information about pricing in our ‘Full details’ dropdown, or visit our guide: 'what are fixed broadband deals and who offers them?'

Expert Summary

Make sure you’re knowledgable about how annual price rises will affect you and when price changes come into force. If you're signing up to a new deal, pay attention to the terms and conditions. Remember to add your provider to your email safe list. This is the most likely way you'll be informed of any price hikes, so you won't want important messages to be in your spam.

Whilst you’re doing this, take the time to get familiar with your current contract. Check when your contract ends and make a note of it. If you’re out of contract, now is the perfect time to switch and save. If you’re keen to lower your monthly broadband costs, check out these cheap broadband deals.

• Getting financial help

  If you’re worried about your finances, don’t let your concerns go unheard. Your first step is always to speak to your internet service provider. They may be able to make adjustments to your package. If you receive benefits or are on a low income, check whether your provider offers a social tariff. If you don’t feel comfortable doing this over the phone, make use of your ISP’s live chat feature, if they have one.

  You can also get assistance from Citizens Advice, if you don’t feel like you’re being heard by your provider. Or for help with debt management, you can get in touch with the debt charity, StepChange. This online debt advice service is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. To phone, you can call 0800 0138 1111 for free from any UK mobile or landline.

  Broadband Genie is on your side when it comes to getting through this financial crisis. We know how difficult it is to make ends meet sometimes. If you need more tips on how to reduce the cost of living through technology, check out our calculator.

  You might also find it helpful to read our additional guide: 'What to do if you can't afford your broadband bill'.