Most broadband contracts get more expensive every spring, even halfway through the minimum term. Since 17 January 2025, Ofcom has banned inflation-linked rises in new contracts. Providers must now tell you, in pounds and pence, exactly how much your price will rise and when.
That makes rises predictable, but not small. A fixed rise lands on every package from the same provider, so it takes a bigger share of a cheap deal than an expensive one.
Price rises for new contracts
| Provider | Monthly rise each year | When it applies |
|---|---|---|
| BT | £4 broadband only, £6 broadband and TV | 31 March |
| EE | £4 | 31 March |
| Plusnet | £4 | 31 March |
| Virgin Media | £4 | 1 April |
| TalkTalk | £4 | 1 April |
| Hyperoptic | £4 | 1 April |
| Vodafone | £3.50 | 1 April |
| Three | £3.50 | 1 April |
| Community Fibre | £3 | 1 April |
| Onestream | £2.75 | 1 April |
| toob | £2 | 1 April |
| Sky | Not fixed in the contract; Sky raised broadband by £3 in April 2026 | Usually April |
| NOW Broadband | Not fixed in the contract | Varies |
Figures apply to contracts taken out now and were checked on 15 October 2026. Older contracts may follow different rules.
Cost of rises over a contract
| Monthly rise | Extra paid over a 24-month contract with two rises | Extra paid over a 12-month contract with one rise |
|---|---|---|
| £2 | Up to £48 | Up to £24 |
| £3.50 | Up to £84 | Up to £42 |
| £4 | Up to £96 | Up to £48 |
The exact extra depends on the month you start. Joining in October means the first rise arrives about six months in.
Providers with fixed prices
A handful of providers promise no rise during the minimum term. These include Rebel, YouFibre, Lit Fibre, trooli, Brsk, Airband and Hey! Broadband. Most are regional full fibre networks, so availability is patchy, although Rebel uses the Openreach network and reaches most homes.
Social tariffs are also exempt from mid-contract rises. See our social tariff guide.
Older contracts and inflation-linked rises
If you signed up before your provider moved to fixed rises, your contract may still use a formula linked to inflation, such as CPI plus 3.9%. Provider switchover dates vary: BT, EE and Plusnet contracts from 10 April 2024, Vodafone from 2 July 2024, TalkTalk from 12 August 2024 and Virgin Media from 9 January 2025 use fixed amounts. Your contract summary shows which rule applies to you.
Your right to leave
If a provider raises your price by more than you agreed when you signed up, Ofcom rules say it must give you at least one month’s notice and let you leave without paying an exit fee. That right doesn’t apply to rises set out in pounds and pence at the point of sale, because you agreed to them.
Sky and NOW Broadband don’t fix their future rises in the contract in the same way, which can give their customers a window to leave when a rise is announced. Check the notice and act before the deadline.
Keeping rises in check
- Compare the total contract cost, not the first month.
- Put your contract end date in your calendar. Your provider must send an end-of-contract notice, but acting early gives you time to compare.
- Switch or renegotiate as soon as your contract ends. Out-of-contract prices are usually higher.
- Ask about a social tariff if you claim Universal Credit or Pension Credit.
FAQs
Can my broadband provider put my price up mid-contract?
Yes, if the rise was set out clearly in pounds and pence when you signed up. Rises beyond that give you the right to leave without an exit fee.
When do broadband prices go up?
Most providers apply their rise on 31 March or 1 April each year.
Can I avoid broadband price rises?
Choose a provider with a fixed-price promise, take a social tariff if you are eligible, or switch when your contract ends.
Do price rises apply to TV and phone add-ons?
Often, yes. BT, for example, applies a larger rise to broadband and TV bundles. Check the contract summary for every service you take.