Broadband contract price rises explained

Last reviewed: 24 September 2026

A broadband deal can look attractive when you first sign up, but the price you see today is not necessarily the price you will pay throughout your contract.

In 2026, the rules around broadband price rises are clearer than they were in previous years. Providers can still increase prices during a contract, but for new contracts they can no longer use unpredictable inflation-linked or percentage-based increases. Instead, any planned increase must be shown clearly in pounds and pence, along with when it will take effect. 

This makes it easier to work out the real cost of a broadband deal before committing to it. However, customers who are still on older contracts may be subject to different rules, so what applies to you depends partly on when you signed up.

The rule change: 17 January 2025

From 17 January 2025, providers can no longer include inflation-linked or percentage-based price rises in new broadband contracts. Instead, any planned increase must be shown upfront in pounds and pence, clearly and prominently, before you sign up. The date each increase takes effect should also be clear.

Ofcom introduced these rules because many customers found inflation-linked price rises difficult to understand. The new approach means you should be able to see exactly what you will pay during your contract before you agree to it.

The rule is not retrospective. If you signed your contract before 17 January 2025, it may still contain an inflation-linked or percentage-based price-rise clause. That term can continue to apply until your existing contract ends.

What does a broadband price rise look like now?

For a contract signed since 17 January 2025, a planned increase should be shown as a specific cash amount rather than something linked to inflation.

For example, your contract might state:

Monthly subscription price: £30.00 until 31 March 2026 -> Increasing to £31.50 on 1 April 2026 -> Increasing to £33.00 on 1 April 2027

The amount and date of each increase should be available before you agree to the contract, rather than being hidden in separate terms and conditions.

There is no standard amount that providers have to use. Each provider sets its own prices, so check the full price you will pay throughout the contract rather than focusing only on the initial monthly cost.

Why can broadband providers still raise prices?

The new rules do not prevent providers from changing their prices during a contract. Broadband companies can still set their own prices and include specified increases in their contracts. What has changed is the level of certainty you should have when signing up.

If a provider tells you upfront that your broadband will cost £30 a month initially and £32 a month from a specified date, that planned increase can form part of the contract you agree to. This is why comparing broadband deals based only on the initial monthly price can give you an incomplete picture.

A £25 deal that rises to £30 may work out differently from a £27 deal that stays at £27, even if the first deal looks cheaper when you initially search.

What if you are on an older contract?

If you signed up before 17 January 2025, your contract may still contain an inflation-linked or percentage-based price rise. The January 2025 rules do not automatically change the terms of an existing contract. If your contract includes a CPI, RPI or percentage-based increase, it may continue to apply until your minimum term ends.

Check the terms you agreed to when you signed up, particularly if you are unsure how your next price increase will be calculated.

What should you check when your broadband price increases?

If you receive a notification that your broadband price is going up, check:

• When you signed your contract: this determines which price-rise rules apply.
• What your contract says: look for the original price-rise terms.
• How much your price is increasing by: compare the new price with what was originally stated.
• When the increase takes effect: make sure this matches the information you were given when you signed up.
• Your contract end date: if you are approaching the end of your minimum term, you may have more options to change your broadband deal.

If the increase does not match what you agreed to, contact your provider and ask them to explain how it has been calculated before deciding whether to cancel or switch.

Can you leave your contract if the price goes up?

Not necessarily. Whether you can leave without paying an exit fee depends on how the increase was disclosed when you signed up.

If your contract clearly set out the price increase in pounds and pence before you signed, which should apply to contracts taken out since 17 January 2025, the increase is generally part of the agreed price. Leaving during your minimum term may therefore mean paying the usual exit fee.

If your contract did not clearly set out how much the price could increase, or your provider increases the price by more than the amount stated, different rules can apply. Your provider must:

• Give you at least 30 days' notice before the increase takes effect.
• Give you 30 days from that notification to leave without paying an exit fee.

You can either agree a new contract with the same provider or switch to another provider.

The requirement for providers to give customers an exit route where a price increase was not properly disclosed predates the January 2025 changes. The newer rules mainly changed what providers can include in new contracts.

Could you switch to a social tariff instead?

If you are eligible for a social tariff, Ofcom's guidance confirms that you should be able to move to one without paying a penalty, even if you are still within your existing minimum term.

Social tariffs are cheaper broadband and phone packages for eligible customers. Eligibility varies between providers and can depend on the benefits you receive or your circumstances. See our guide to cheaper broadband for low-income households for more information on social tariffs, eligibility and what to do if you cannot get one.

What happens when your contract ends?

Your provider may move you onto a higher price once your minimum term ends. Check your contract end date and compare your options before that date arrives, rather than waiting until your current deal has ended. You may be able to negotiate a new deal with your existing provider or switch to another provider.

If you decide to switch, our guide to switching broadband providers explains the process and links to cancellation guides for individual providers.

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Frequently asked questions

Can my broadband provider still raise prices based on inflation?

Not for new contracts signed since 17 January 2025. Providers can no longer use inflation-linked or percentage-based price increases in these contracts. Older contracts may still contain these terms until the contract ends.

How much can my broadband bill go up by?

There is no standard increase that applies to every provider. For new contracts, any planned increase must be shown as a specific pounds-and-pence amount, along with the date it will take effect.

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

Only in certain circumstances. If the increase was not clearly disclosed when you signed up, or is higher than the amount stated, your provider may have to give you a penalty-free exit period. If the increase was properly disclosed as part of your contract, the usual exit terms are likely to apply.

Does this rule apply to contracts I signed before January 2025?

No. The January 2025 rules apply to contracts signed from 17 January 2025 onwards. Older contracts may still contain inflation-linked or percentage-based price-rise terms.

Can I leave my contract when the minimum term ends?

Yes. You do not need a special price-rise exit right once your minimum term has ended. Check your contract end date and compare new deals before your current agreement finishes.