In-contract broadband price rises (2026)
Last reviewed: 22 March 2026
Short answer: many broadband contracts now include annual price increases during the contract term. A deal advertised at £25 per month may cost noticeably more by month 18 or 24. To avoid surprises, compare deals on the total expected cost across the full contract, not just the month-one price.
At a glance
- Most major UK providers apply an annual price rise each March or April, even during a fixed-term contract.
- Since January 2024, Ofcom rules require providers to show the rise in pounds and pence at the point of sale.
- Always calculate total contract cost (monthly price × months, plus each year’s increase) before committing.
- If a rise was not clearly stated in your contract, you may have the right to leave penalty-free.
- Deals labelled “no mid-contract rise” lock the monthly price for the full term.
How in-contract price rises work
An in-contract price rise is an increase to your monthly broadband bill that the provider applies while your fixed-term agreement is still running. Unlike an out-of-contract rise, which happens after your minimum term ends, an in-contract rise is scheduled from the day you sign up.
The increase is typically applied once a year, usually in March or April. The exact date and amount should be stated in your contract summary. There are three common formats:
- Fixed amount, for example, “your price will increase by £2 per month in April each year.”
- CPI plus a fixed amount, for example, “your price will increase by CPI + £3.50 per month.” CPI (Consumer Prices Index) is published by the ONS each January and reflects UK inflation.
- No mid-contract rise, some providers guarantee your price stays the same for the entire contract length.
If you sign a 24-month deal starting in June, you could face two annual increases before your contract ends. On an 18-month deal starting in May, you would typically face one. The timing of your start date relative to the provider’s annual rise date determines how many increases you experience.
What changed in UK rules
Before 2024, several providers described their annual increase in vague terms such as “CPI + 3.9%” without converting that into a clear cash figure. Because CPI is only confirmed in January and the rise applies in March or April, customers had no way of knowing the actual cost increase when they signed up.
In January 2024, Ofcom introduced new rules requiring providers to state any in-contract price rise in pounds and pence at the point of sale. This means the contract summary must now show the exact monetary increase, or at minimum a fixed-pound figure if the rise is wholly predictable.
For rises linked to CPI, providers must explain clearly how the figure will be calculated and give an illustrative example in pounds. The goal is to let consumers compare total contract costs on a like-for-like basis rather than guessing at future inflation rates.
Since these rules took effect, some providers have simplified their approach. A growing number now offer either a fixed-pound rise (e.g. “+£2/month each April”) or no mid-contract rise at all, partly in response to consumer demand for clearer pricing.
How to compare deals when price rises apply
Month-one pricing is not enough. Two deals at £28 per month can differ by over £60 across 24 months once annual rises are factored in. Follow these steps to compare accurately:
- Note the monthly price and contract length. A 24-month deal has more months for rises to compound than a 12-month deal.
- Identify the rise type and amount. Check the contract summary for the exact pound figure or the CPI-linked formula.
- Work out how many rises you will face. This depends on your start date and the provider’s annual rise month. If you start in February and the rise is in April, you will face the first rise within two months.
- Calculate total cost. Multiply the initial monthly price by the number of months before the first rise, then the increased price by the remaining months. For 24-month deals with two rises, split the calculation into three periods.
- Add setup fees and subtract any credits. Include one-off costs such as delivery, installation, or activation charges. See our fees guide for details.
Example: a 24-month deal at £30/month with a £2 annual rise applied each April, starting in June. Months 1–10 (June–March): £30 × 10 = £300. Months 11–22 (April–March): £32 × 12 = £384. Months 23–24 (April–May): £34 × 2 = £68. Total: £752. Compare that with a rival deal at £32/month with no mid-contract rise: £32 × 24 = £768. The first deal is cheaper despite looking more expensive after its rises.
| Type of rise | How it works | Predictability | Impact on total cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fixed amount rise | Price increases by a set pound figure (e.g. +£2/month) each year. | High, you know the exact increase at sign-up. | Moderate, easy to budget for, but adds up over 24 months. |
| CPI + fixed amount | Price increases by inflation (CPI) plus a fixed pound amount each year. | Lower, CPI is confirmed roughly two months before the rise. | Variable, total cost depends on the inflation rate at the time. |
| No mid-contract rise | Monthly price stays the same for the entire contract term. | Highest, what you see is what you pay throughout. | None, total cost is simply monthly price × contract length, plus any one-off fees. |
Can you leave if prices rise?
Your right to exit without paying an early-termination charge depends on whether the price rise was clearly stated in your contract at the point of sale.
- Rise was stated in the contract: if the increase matches what was set out when you signed up, it is considered part of the agreed terms. In this case, the provider is not obliged to let you leave penalty-free.
- Rise exceeds or differs from what was agreed: if the provider introduces a rise that was not detailed in your contract summary, or the increase is larger than stated, you are entitled to leave without paying an early-termination fee. You must normally give notice within 30 days of being told about the change.
- No rise was mentioned at all: any mid-contract price increase that was not disclosed before you signed up is treated as a material contract change. You can exit penalty-free within the notice period.
If you believe you have grounds to leave, contact your provider and reference the contract summary you were given at sign-up. Keep a copy of that document. If the provider refuses and you think their position is wrong, you can escalate to the relevant Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) scheme, either Ombudsman Services: Communications or CISAS, depending on the provider.
Common questions
Do all UK broadband providers apply mid-contract price rises?
No. Some providers, particularly smaller full-fibre networks, offer contracts with no mid-contract rises. However, most of the larger providers (BT, Sky, Virgin Media O2, TalkTalk, Plusnet, EE and Vodafone) have historically applied annual increases. Check each provider’s current contract summary before signing up.
When exactly does my price go up?
Most providers apply their annual rise in March or April. The exact date is set by the provider and stated in your contract. If you join after the rise month, you will not face an increase until the following year’s rise date.
Is the rise applied to line rental too, or just broadband?
On bundled packages that include a phone line, the rise usually applies to the whole package price. If you have separate broadband and phone line contracts, each may have its own rise terms. Check both contract summaries.
Can I avoid in-contract rises altogether?
Yes. Look for deals specifically labelled as having no mid-contract price increases. Several providers offer these, though the starting monthly price may be slightly higher to compensate. Use our comparison tool and filter by total contract cost to find the best value option.
What happens to the price after my contract ends?
Once your minimum term finishes, you move to an out-of-contract or rolling monthly rate, which is often higher than both the original and risen in-contract price. At that point, you are free to switch provider at any time without penalty. See our guide to saving money on broadband for tips on negotiating or switching.
What to do next
- Understand exit fees and setup fees, factor one-off charges into your total-cost calculation.
- How to save money on broadband, practical steps to cut your bill, including negotiation scripts.
- Broadband switch checklist, a step-by-step list to follow before, during and after switching.
- Compare broadband deals by postcode, see live prices, speeds and total-contract costs for your address.
Source: regulatory information cross-referenced with Ofcom guidance on mid-contract price rises. See also Ofcom: saving money on phone, broadband and TV. Pricing examples are illustrative; check provider contract summaries for current figures.