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New Rules to Cut Broadband Bills – But Some Providers Will Still Increase Theirs Up to 4 Times a Year

Big news for UK broadband customers! Ofcom has stepped in to ban providers from hiking prices mid-contract based on inflation, so those dreaded “nasty surprises” should be a thing of the past.

Know your rights!

Currently an XLN or BT customer and fed up of price hikes? Maybe you’re asking yourself “why is my broadband bill going up” or “how can I lower my broadband bill”. Maybe it’s time to switch broadband providers altogether. Whatever you decide to do, it’s always worth knowing your rights.

Under the old rules, broadband and mobile companies could raise a customer’s prices mid-contract, based on inflation from March and April, plus an extra 3.9% on top. They usually looked at inflation data from December (CPI) or January (RPI) to decide how much to increase bills. Last year, this meant hikes between 7.9% and 8.8%… and if that wasn’t enough, customers also had to deal with a massive 17.3% rise in 2023, at a time when inflation had hit a 40-year high.

Unfortunately it’s not all good news though, as mid-contract price rises aren’t completely gone. Providers like BT, Vodafone, Sky, TalkTalk and EE can still increase prices – but now they’ll have to clearly state any future price hikes in pounds and pence, right from the get-go.

The reason for the changes? With many broadband companies previously tacking on extra percentage increases based on inflation, it was hard for customers to figure out what they’d actually be paying over the life of their contracts. With the new rules, everything will be crystal clear so you’ll know exactly what you’re signing up for – no more guessing how much your bill will rise each year.

These new rules won’t just affect broadband – mobile networks and pay-TV services like Sky and Virgin Media are also in for a shake-up!

What will happen from April 2025?

In a nutshell:

  • On the 17th January 2025, annual price rises were overhauled for broadband, mobile phone, and paid-TV
  • April 2025 marks the first time these new Ofcom rules will be enforced
  • Increases can no longer be linked to inflation
  • When you sign-up for a contract, price rises will be spelled-out in £s and pence
  • Existing customers will see monthly bills rise under the old system
  • For millions of current BT customers, that means an increase of 6.4% on bills
  • New BT broadband customers will need to pay an extra £3 a month

Remember, if you’re out of contract, you’re free to leave

If you’re no longer in a contract with your broadband provider, check you’re not overpaying.

Broadband and mobile firms have millions of customers who are out of contract and have simply been rolled on to often more expensive tariffs without signing up for them. If that’s you, you’re free to leave without having to pay any fees or penalties – so it’s worth checking if you can save £100s by switching to us.

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Emma Lewis
Emma Lewis