Mid-contract price rises: what you need to know
Many contracts go up in price each year, usually in April. Since January 2025, networks must tell you these rises in pounds and pence before you sign.
The rules
Ofcom banned mobile and broadband providers from linking price rises to inflation for new contracts from 17 January 2025. Any rise must now be set out in pounds and pence, clearly, before you agree to the contract. So you know exactly what you will pay each year.
How we show price rises
- Where a retailer tells us about price rises, we show the new monthly price and when it starts on each deal.
- The total cost in our deal lists includes those rises, so a deal with yearly rises is compared fairly with a fixed-price deal.
- Some networks offer fixed prices for the whole contract. Look for that in the deal details.
Can I leave if the price goes up?
Not if the rise was set out in your contract when you signed. If a provider makes a change that wasn’t in your contract and leaves you worse off, you normally have the right to leave without penalty within 30 days of being told.
Frequently asked questions
When do phone contract prices go up?
Most networks raise prices in April each year. The amount and date should be in your contract.
Are price rises included in your total costs?
Yes, where the retailer gives us the rises. The deal shows “incl. price rises” under the total.