Mobile mid-contract price hikes 2026: What you need to know
Wondering whether your phone bill will go up this year? Many mobile providers have announced 2026 mid-contract price rises ranging from £1.50 to £4 a month, while those on older contracts often face unspecified, inflation-linked rises. Here’s what you can do.
Beat mid-contract price hikes: check your deal and stay on top of what you pay
If your broadband or mobile contract started before January 2025, there’s a good chance it still includes inflation-linked price rises, often written as “CPI + 3.9%”.
From 17 January 2025, Ofcom banned these percentage-based rises in new contracts. Now, providers must show any mid-contract price increases in pounds and pence upfront.
That might be clearer, but it doesn’t stop your bills from going up.
Read on to find out how to check whether you’re affected, and make sure you’re not paying over the odds for your mobile contract.
Check when your contract started
Find your original confirmation email or bill. You’re looking for the contract start date (the day your minimum term began).
If it began before 17 January 2025, it’s probably still tied to inflation-linked rises
If it started after, any mid-contract price rise must be expressed in pounds and pence
To know whether you can switch penalty-free, you also need your minimum term end date.
💡 MoneySuperMarket tip: Log in to your provider account. You’ll often see your “contract start date” and “minimum term end date” in the billing section.
Understand how price rises work
Older contracts can include clauses like:
“Your monthly price will increase each April by the Consumer Price Index (CPI) rate published in January, plus 3.9%.”
So if CPI is 4%, your bill goes up 7.9% that April. These hikes apply automatically even if you’re mid-contract and not yet free to switch.
Contracts starting after 17 January 2025 should include a clear explanation of the price rise, so you know how much more you will pay when signing up. Again, these hikes apply automatically to both mobile and broadband contracts. However, means-tested social broadband tariffs should not be affected.
📌 Add your provider’s “price rise month” to your calendar so you’re ready to move when your term ends.
Plan your switch before the next rise
Whether you are on an older CPI-linked contract or a more recent one with a price increase, you can:
Switch when your term ends: Move to a new deal, remembering to factor in any mid-contract price rises stated in the terms and conditions
Negotiate early: Call your provider and ask to transfer to a cheaper plan as soon as your existing contract ends
💡 MoneySuperMarket tip: Out-of-contract customers could save £150–£250 a year just by switching or re-negotiating.
Compare new broadband and mobile deals
Use MoneySuperMarket’s comparison tools to find cheaper, more transparent options.
You can filter by:
Contract length (12, 18, or 24 months)
Speed or data limits
Fixed price or “no mid-contract rise” guarantees
Extras like streaming bundles or shopping vouchers
🚩 Many new deals now include “price freeze” guarantees, meaning your bill won’t change for the full contract.
Providers with no 2026 price increases include Talkmobile, Lebara, ID Mobile, Smarty, and giffgaff.
Check your exit rights
Ofcom limits mobile airtime contracts to a maximum of 24 months. So, even if you are on a longer contract due to the term of the loan you took out on your handset, you should be able to switch your data and calls to a better deal, ideally with no price hikes, after two years.
If your provider raises prices beyond what’s in your contract, you may also have the right to cancel within 30 days of notification with no exit fee.
Senior Content Editor
Our expert says...
“For years, inflation-linked price rises have caught people off guard, with bills jumping by up to 8% in some cases, even in the middle of a contract. Ofcom’s new rules are a big win for transparency, giving consumers a clear picture of what they’ll pay before they sign up.
But if your deal started before January 2025, you could still face a CPI-linked price hike. Check your start date, know your rights, and don’t just roll over when your term ends. Switching to a fixed-price broadband or mobile plan could save you hundreds of pounds a year.”
Summary: how to avoid CPI-linked hikes
Step | What to do | Why it matters |
1. Check start date | Pre-Jan 2025 = CPI + % clause likely | Determines your rights |
2. Understand terms | Look for “CPI + 3.9%” or “inflation-linked” | Shows if bills can rise annually |
3. Switch early | Move to a post-Jan 2025 plan | Avoids percentage-based hikes |
4. Compare deals | Use MoneySuperMarket filters for “fixed-price” plans | Could save £250+/year |
5. Know your rights | You can cancel if rises breach terms | Stops unfair price increases |
Frequently asked questions
Can I leave my contract if prices go up?
It depends. If the increase isn’t set out in your contract, you can cancel penalty-free. Providers must give you 30 days’ notice before the change takes effect.
If your contract clearly states a CPI + % increase, or an increase of, say, £1.50 or £4, you can’t usually leave early unless the provider makes an extra change that causes “material detriment”.
What counts as a new contract?
Any renewal, regrade, or plan change agreed after 17 January 2025 is treated as a new contract under Ofcom’s rules. So even if you stayed with the same provider, any mid-contract price rises should be spelt out in pounds and pence.
Are all providers following the new rules?
Yes. Ofcom’s ban on inflation-linked percentage rises applies to all UK broadband and mobile providers from January 2025 onwards. However, older contracts signed before that date still legally include those clauses until they end or are renewed.
Can I switch mid-contract to a better deal?
You can only switch without fees mid-contract if your provider breaches its terms (for example, raises prices unfairly). Otherwise, you’ll need to wait until your minimum term ends to avoid early termination charges.
However, some networks let you upgrade early or re-contract under new terms. Ask your provider what’s possible.
Author
Jessica Bown
Insurance expert
Jessica Bown is an award-winning freelance journalist and editor who has been writing about personal finance for almost 20 years. She started her career on the Money team at the Daily Express, then...
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Alan Cairns
Senior Content Editor
Alan breaks down money, home, and energy topics into plain English to help you save money. Ask him about pound cost averaging or Balkonkraftwerk.
