Broadband Mid-Contract Price Rises Explained (April 2026)

Yes. Most major UK broadband providers will raise prices in April 2026. BT, EE and Plusnet will increase by £4/month, Virgin Media by £4/month, Sky by £3/month and Vodafone by £3.50/month. Since January 2025, Ofcom requires these increases to be stated as a fixed £ amount in contracts rather than linked to inflation.

April 2026 Price Rises by Provider

Every major UK broadband provider will increase prices in April 2026. BT and EE are raising bills by £4/month, adding £48 to your annual cost. Plusnet is also increasing by £4/month. Virgin Media is applying a £4/month increase across broadband, TV and phone packages. Sky broadband goes up by £3/month (£36/year), while Vodafone is adding £3.50/month (£42/year). These are fixed-pound increases, as required under Ofcom’s January 2025 rules for all contracts sold from that date onward. On a typical 24-month deal, a £4/month rise adds £48 to your total contract cost after the first April. If you signed your contract before January 2025, your provider may still use the older inflation-linked CPI + 3.9% formula, which could result in a higher or lower increase depending on the inflation rate — check your original contract summary for the exact terms that apply to you.

Ofcom’s New Rules on Mid-Contract Increases

In January 2025, Ofcom banned inflation-linked mid-contract price rises for all new broadband contracts sold from that date. Previously, providers like BT, EE and Vodafone used a formula of CPI (Consumer Prices Index) plus a fixed percentage — often CPI + 3.9% — meaning customers had no way of knowing the exact increase when they signed up. Under the new rules, any annual price increase must be stated as a fixed amount in pounds (e.g. “£4/month from April each year”) and clearly displayed in the contract summary before you sign. This applies to BT, EE, Sky, Virgin Media, Plusnet and all other regulated providers. Ofcom’s aim is to give consumers certainty over the total cost of their contract from day one, making it simpler to compare deals.

Can You Leave Your Contract After a Price Rise?

It depends on whether the increase was specified in your contract. If the fixed-pound rise was clearly stated in your contract summary when you signed up (as Ofcom now requires), the increase is treated as an agreed term and you cannot leave penalty-free. However, if your provider applies an increase that was not in your original contract terms, Ofcom’s General Conditions give you the right to exit within 30 days of receiving the price-rise notification, with no early termination charge. Sky also offers a 30-day cancellation window for any price rise, regardless of contract terms. If you’re unsure of your rights, check our guide on cancelling without fees. If you can leave, follow our switching guide to find a better deal.

How to Avoid Paying More Than You Need To

The single biggest step is to switch when your contract ends. Out-of-contract customers typically pay £5–15/month more than new customers getting the same speed. Check your contract end date in your provider’s app or latest bill and set a reminder to shop around a month before it expires. When comparing deals, look at the total 24-month cost including any mid-contract rises — a deal at £20/month with a £4 April increase costs £528 over two years, not £480. Consider providers that guarantee no mid-contract rises, such as Zen Internet, Cuckoo and some Community Fibre plans. If you prefer to stay with your current provider, call their retentions team and negotiate — they often have unpublished deals. See our best broadband deals for the latest prices, or read our guide on cancelling broadband if you want to leave entirely.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I leave my broadband contract because of a price rise?

If the price increase is stated in your contract terms (as most now are since Ofcom's January 2025 rules), you cannot leave penalty-free. However, Sky allows customers to cancel within 30 days of price rise notification. Always check your specific contract terms.

How much will my broadband go up in April 2026?

Typical increases in April 2026 are: BT/EE £4/month, Plusnet £4/month, Virgin Media £4/month, Sky £3/month, Vodafone £3.50/month. Some providers on older contracts may still use inflation-linked increases.

Which broadband providers do not raise prices mid-contract?

Some smaller providers and alt-nets offer fixed-price contracts with no mid-contract increases. Look for providers advertising 'no price rise' guarantees. Virgin Media froze prices for some new contracts in early 2026.

When did Ofcom change the rules on broadband price rises?

In January 2025, Ofcom banned inflation-linked mid-contract price rises in new broadband contracts. Providers must now state any annual increase as a fixed amount in pounds and pence, making it easier for customers to understand exactly how much their bill will rise.

Related Guides

How to Switch Broadband Provider in the UK · Best Broadband Deals in the UK · Broadband Social Tariffs: Cheap Internet for Low-Income Households · Cancel Without Fees · Cancel Broadband · Switching Notification

Methodology & Sources

Information in this guide is sourced from Ofcom market reports, Openreach coverage data, ISPreview.co.uk, provider websites and independent broadband research from Point Topic and Thinkbroadband. Prices and availability are checked monthly. Speed data reflects advertised average speeds from provider Key Facts documents.