How to beat the broadband price hikes
Customers are facing inflation-busting rises – so here is how to find a better deal

Broadband and mobile phone customers are facing above-inflation mid-contract price hikes of up to 8.8% this spring following the latest inflation data.
"Most of the biggest broadband and mobile providers" link annual bill increases to either December's Consumer Prices Index (CPI) or the January Retail Prices Index (RPI) rates of inflation, said MoneySavingExpert.
The January RPI rate – published in February – was 4.9%, "so we know the hikes that all of the major providers will implement".
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Many companies also add around 3%, said uSwitch, which they claim helps "combat rising business costs".
Virgin Media links its price hikes to the "more expensive type of inflation", added the comparison website, at RPI plus 3.9%, while others such as BT, EE, Three and Vodafone use CPI plus 3.9%.
The "inflation-busting" increases will take place from next month until May, said This Is Money. Providers say their "hands are tied" as most of them rely on Openreach's infrastructure and pay a yearly fee, which rises with inflation as well.
To add "insult to injury", said Which?, Virgin Media and O2 raised customer bills by an average of 13.8% and 17.3% respectively last year. Customers of these brands who signed up or renewed contracts since 8 February won't see price increases until April 2025.
Industry regulator Ofcom has announced that it is planning to ban mid-contract price rises but until this happens, there are ways to avoid the price hikes.
Check your contract
Check your terms and conditions, said GoCompare, because if the price "has increased unexpectedly and you are out of contract" you have the right to cancel without "hefty fees".
Also, you don't have to accept a price hike "if it's not part of your contract", added the comparison website.
Shop around
These hikes affect only those people who are in a contract, so if yours has ended then you are "free to leave" without penalties, added MoneySavingExpert.
People can often "save £100s by switching", so it is worth shopping around for the best deal.
Haggle
It may be worth haggling for a better deal if you are out of contract but want to remain with your current provider, said Rest Less.
"Leverage your right to leave penalty-free if you are out of contract," the website added, and they may offer a "better rate to convince you to stay".
Ask for help
Providers are required to support struggling customers.
Speak to your provider, said Which?, if you "have concerns about being able to pay your bills".
Many of the large providers such as BT, Sky and Vodafone have schemes in place, added MoneySavingExpert, "to help customers who've encountered financial problems".
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Marc Shoffman is an NCTJ-qualified award-winning freelance journalist, specialising in business, property and personal finance. He has a BA in multimedia journalism from Bournemouth University and a master’s in financial journalism from City University, London. His career began at FT Business trade publication Financial Adviser, during the 2008 banking crash. In 2013, he moved to MailOnline’s personal finance section This is Money, where he covered topics ranging from mortgages and pensions to investments and even a bit of Bitcoin. Since going freelance in 2016, his work has appeared in MoneyWeek, The Times, The Mail on Sunday and on the i news site.
-
Today's political cartoons - March 30, 2025
Cartoons Sunday's cartoons - strawberry fields forever, secret files, and more
By The Week US Published
-
5 hilariously sparse cartoons about further DOGE cuts
Cartoons Artists take on free audits, report cards, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Following the Tea Horse Road in China
The Week Recommends This network of roads and trails served as vital trading routes
By The Week UK Published
-
How to pay off student loans
The explainer Don't just settle for the default repayment plan
By Becca Stanek, The Week US Published
-
Do student loans affect a credit score?
the explainer Repaying loans on time will strengthen your credit — but paying late will hurt it
By Becca Stanek, The Week US Published
-
Do I qualify for student loan forgiveness?
The Explainer There are a number of different pathways to qualification, though each requires strict criteria to be met
By Becca Stanek, The Week US Published
-
Should I consolidate my student loans?
the explainer Consolidate your loans and you will have just one monthly payment to keep track of — but your interest rate may increase
By Becca Stanek, The Week US Published
-
What's a student loan and how does it work?
The Explainer These loans can cover the cost of tuition, housing and textbooks — but they must eventually be repaid, plus interest
By Becca Stanek, The Week US Published
-
How to get student loan forgiveness
the explainer Four options for paying back (less of!) your federal student loans
By Becca Stanek, The Week US Published
-
ABLE accounts: how they work and who can benefit from them
the explainer These state-administered accounts are available to people with disabilities
By Becca Stanek, The Week US Published
-
5 reasons to file your taxes sooner than later
the explainer Many experts recommend filing well ahead of the annual April deadline
By Becca Stanek, The Week US Published