Telecom firms are banned by Ofcom from linking mid-contract price rises to inflation – instead, customers must be told in ‘pounds and pence’ how much their bill will increase by
A growing list of broadband providers have announced bigger mid-contract price rises, in a major blow to millions of customers.
Telecom firms are banned by Ofcom from linking mid-contract price rises to inflation – instead, customers must be told in “pounds and pence” how much their bill will increase by.
But in recent months, we’ve seen some of the largest internet providers announce even bigger mid-contract price rises than what they had previously revealed.
We’ve got a full list of all the latest changes from O2, Virgin, Three, Vodafone and others – plus, how you can still cut your broadband and mobile costs.
O2
O2 has announced almost all mobile and SIM-only contract customers will see their monthly mobile bill rise by £2.50 a month from April 2026. This is up from the originally planned increase of £1.80 a month.
Virgin
Virgin Media has increased its mid-contact price rise for new and re-contracting customers. As of October 2, anyone taking a new contract or renewing their existing deal will see their monthly bill rise by £4 mid-way through their contract.
The new price increase will come into effect from next April, and is up from the current £3.50 mid-contract price rise that existing Virgin Media customers have signed up for.
Existing customers will not be affected by the higher price rise while they are still in their existing deal.
Three
Three mobile customers who take out a data plan of 4GB or less from November 9 will be subject to a price rise of £1.80 a month from April 2026. This is an increase of 80p more compared to its current £1 monthly increase.
Those who take out a plan of between 4GB and 100GB will see their monthly price rise by £1.90 from April 2026, while customers who have more than 100GB will be hit with an increase of £2.30 a month.
Three broadband will see their bills rise by £3.50 a month from April 2026. If you already have a broadband or mobile contract with Three, your price will rise by your already agreed amount.
Vodafone
Vodafone mobile customers who take out a deal from November 12 will see their monthly bill rise by £2.50 a month, or £1.50 for its Basics SIM plans.
Vodafone broadband customers will be hit with £3.50 monthly price rise. If you already have a broadband or mobile contract with Vodafone, your price will rise by your already agreed amount.
Sky Mobile
Sky Mobile has announced the majority of its customers will see their bill go up by £1.50 a month from February 14, 2026. It marks the first time Sky Mobile has announced a price change for in-contract customers in over seven years.
Hyperoptic
Hyperoptic. The internet supplier has confirmed customers will see their monthly bill increase by £4 a month from April 2026 – up from from the previous rise of £3 a month.
The price increase will affect new and existing customers and all Hyperoptic broadband plans.
Save money on your broadband bill
If you’re out of contract, compare prices online to see if you can get a better deal elsewhere. Check your current broadband speed, and ask yourself if you need this fast of a speed, or if you can save money by downgrading.
If you don’t want to leave your current provider, you can try haggling down your existing bill. When haggling, explain the better deals you’ve seen elsewhere then ask if the company can match or beat that price.
The best time to try and negotiate a better deal is near the end of your contract or, sometimes when a price rise has been announced.
You may be able to leave penalty-free when a mid-contract price rise is announced, although not if the price rise was already written into your contract. If you claim benefits, check if you can by signing up for a cheaper social tariff.
