Can my broadband or mobile provider raise prices mid-contract?

They can, but the rules changed. For any contract signed from 17 January 2025, providers are banned from using inflation-linked or percentage-based mid-contract price rises. If a rise is built into your contract, it must be set out in pounds and pence, clearly and prominently, before you sign — so you know the exact amount and date in advance. Anything not agreed that way is not allowed.

Can I leave penalty-free if my price goes up?

Only if the rise is beyond what you agreed when you signed up. If a provider increases your price by more than you agreed, they must give you 30 days' notice and let you leave penalty-free. But a price rise that was clearly set out in pounds and pence at the start counts as agreed, so on its own it does not give you the right to exit. Always check exactly what your contract said.

I'm on an older contract with a CPI or inflation rise — what are my rights?

Contracts signed before 17 January 2025 can still carry an inflation-linked in-contract rise, but providers have committed that April 2026 is the last time they will apply one. Once your minimum term ends you are free to switch to another provider or ask yours for new terms that don't include inflation-linked rises. Out of contract, you can leave any time with no exit fee.

How do I actually cut my broadband or mobile bill?

The biggest savings come when you're out of contract — that's when prices quietly jump. Haggle with your provider or switch using one-touch switching, which moves your broadband for you. If you claim Universal Credit, Pension Credit or certain other benefits, ask about a social tariff: these cheaper packages have no in-contract price rises and no exit fees. Compare before you commit.

Broadband & mobile price rises: the new rules

Q: What if my provider won't help or breaks the rules?

Complain to your provider first. If it isn't resolved within 8 weeks, or you get a deadlock letter, you can escalate free to the telecoms ombudsman your provider belongs to — Communications Ombudsman or CISAS. It's free, independent and the decision is binding on the provider. Ofcom sets the rules but doesn't handle individual complaints.

The new rule — no more hidden inflation rises

For years, providers buried mid-contract rises like "CPI inflation plus 3.9%" in the small print — so nobody knew what they'd actually pay. Ofcom banned that. For any contract you signed on or after 17 January 2025:

Inflation-linked or percentage-based mid-contract price rises are not allowed.
If a rise is built into the deal, it must be set out in pounds and pence, clearly and prominently, before you sign — so you know the exact amount and date in advance.
That applies to broadband, mobile, home phone and pay-TV contracts.

Why this matters You can now see the true price of a deal before you commit. A "£25 a month" contract that quietly rose with inflation could cost far more — now any rise is on the table from day one, so you can compare honestly.

When you can leave penalty-free

This is the part providers don't advertise. If your provider raises your price by more than you agreed when you signed up, they must:

give you at least 30 days' notice of the change; and
let you leave penalty-free — no early-exit fee — within that notice period.

The catch — "agreed" means agreed A rise that was clearly set out in pounds and pence at the start counts as something you agreed to — so on its own it does not give you a penalty-free exit. The exit right is for rises beyond what you signed up to. Check your contract and sign-up email to see exactly what was promised.

On an older contract with a CPI rise?

If you signed before 17 January 2025, your contract can still carry an inflation-linked in-contract rise this year. But there's an end in sight:

Providers have committed that April 2026 is the last time they'll apply an inflation-linked in-contract price rise.
Once your minimum term ends, you're free to switch to another provider or ask yours for new terms without inflation rises.
Out of contract, you can leave any time with no exit fee — that's usually where the real savings are.

How to actually cut the bill

The rules protect you, but the savings come from acting. The single biggest one: don't drift out of contract on the old price, where prices quietly climb and loyal customers pay the most.

Your move	What to do
Switch	Out of contract? Compare deals and switch — one-touch switching moves your broadband for you, with no gap. New customers almost always pay less than loyal ones.
Haggle	Tell your provider you're leaving and ask for their best retention price. Mention the deal you've found elsewhere — they often match or beat it.
Social tariff	On Universal Credit, Pension Credit or some other benefits? Ask about a social tariff — cheaper packages with no in-contract price rises and no exit fees.

Do this now

Check your latest bill or sign-up email for the exact rise. If it's more than you agreed, tell your provider you're exercising your penalty-free exit within the 30-day notice window.

Then compare a social tariff if you're eligible, or look at other ways to stop overpaying on bills with Save Money.

If your provider won't play fair Complain to them first. If it's not sorted within 8 weeks (or you get a "deadlock" letter), escalate free to the telecoms ombudsman your provider belongs to — Communications Ombudsman or CISAS. It's independent and binding on the provider. See how to complain.

Source verification Primary source: Ofcom — Ban on inflation-linked mid-contract price rises; Telecoms price rises: what are your rights; Citizens Advice. Specific URL: ofcom.org.uk — Ofcom bans mid-contract price rises linked to inflation. Last verified 15 June 2026 (the 17 Jan 2025 ban on inflation/percentage rises in new contracts, the pounds-and-pence requirement, the 30-day notice + penalty-free exit, and the April 2026 legacy-contract commitment web-checked against Ofcom). Confidence: High on the framework — from 17 Jan 2025 Ofcom prohibits inflation-linked/percentage mid-contract price rises in new broadband, mobile, home phone and pay-TV contracts; any contractual rise must be stated upfront in pounds and pence; a rise beyond what was agreed triggers 30 days' notice and a penalty-free exit; providers committed April 2026 is the last inflation-linked in-contract rise on legacy deals. Key facts: 17 Jan 2025 ban on inflation/%-linked mid-contract rises (new contracts) · rises must be in pounds and pence agreed upfront · rise beyond agreed = 30 days' notice + penalty-free exit · old contracts: April 2026 the last inflation rise · social tariffs have no in-contract rises or exit fees · escalate free to Communications Ombudsman / CISAS. Scope: UK-wide (Ofcom-regulated). Information, not legal advice — check your own contract terms, and use Ofcom + Citizens Advice for your exact situation.

Price rises — common questions

Can my provider raise prices mid-contract?

They can, but for any contract signed from 17 January 2025, inflation-linked and percentage-based mid-contract rises are banned. Any rise must be set out in pounds and pence, clearly, before you sign — so you know the exact amount and date in advance.

Can I leave penalty-free when my price goes up?

Only if the rise is beyond what you agreed. If a provider increases your price by more than you signed up to, they must give 30 days' notice and let you leave with no exit fee. A rise that was clearly stated in pounds and pence at the start counts as agreed, so it doesn't on its own give an exit right.

I'm on an older contract with a CPI rise — what now?

Contracts signed before 17 January 2025 can still carry an inflation-linked rise, but providers committed April 2026 is the last time they'll apply one. After your minimum term ends you can switch freely or ask for new terms without inflation rises. Out of contract, you can leave any time with no exit fee.

How do I cut my bill?

The biggest savings come when you're out of contract — that's when prices quietly jump. Haggle or switch (one-touch switching moves your broadband for you). If you claim certain benefits, ask about a social tariff: cheaper, with no in-contract rises and no exit fees.

What if my provider breaks the rules?

Complain to them first. If it isn't resolved within 8 weeks, or you get a deadlock letter, escalate free to the telecoms ombudsman (Communications Ombudsman or CISAS). It's independent and binding on the provider. Ofcom sets the rules but doesn't handle individual complaints.

Sources: The 17 Jan 2025 ban on inflation-linked mid-contract price rises, the pounds-and-pence requirement, the penalty-free exit when a price rises beyond what was agreed, and the April 2026 legacy commitment · Ofcom — Ofcom bans mid-contract price rises linked to inflation and Ofcom — Telecoms price rises: what are your rights. Switching, haggling and social tariffs · Citizens Advice. SortedUK is not a regulated adviser and this is general information — check your own contract and use Ofcom or Citizens Advice for your situation. Last reviewed: 15 June 2026.

Your broadband price went up — here's when you can walk away.

The new rule — no more hidden inflation rises

When you can leave penalty-free

On an older contract with a CPI rise?

How to actually cut the bill

Related guides

Price rises — common questions

Don't pay the loyalty penalty — act on the rise.

A price rise is a prompt to switch.