Price rises should be shown in pounds and pence
Since 17 January 2025, new telecoms contracts cannot use inflation-linked or percentage-based price rise terms. Any in-contract increase must be shown upfront, clearly, in pounds and pence.
UK broadband bill calculator
Check what a broadband price rise really costs
Use this calculator to estimate the monthly increase, yearly impact and remaining-contract cost of a broadband price rise. It works for newer fixed pounds-and-pence increases and older percentage-style contract wording.
Use the result as a quick affordability check before accepting a renewal, challenging a notice or comparing a new broadband deal.
Calculator
Estimate your broadband bill increase
Enter your current monthly broadband price, choose the price-rise type and add the contract months you want to model. For new contracts, providers should show in-contract price rises upfront in pounds and pence.
Estimated bill impact
£35.00
New estimated monthly broadband price.
Extra per month£3.00
Extra per year£36.00
Modelled period£36.00
Important: do not switch or cancel payments just because the monthly price has changed. First check the contract wording, your minimum term, exit fees, service performance and whether the provider gave the price rise clearly before you signed up.
Price rise rules
What changed under Ofcom’s broadband price-rise rules?
Ofcom’s rules changed how new broadband, phone and pay-TV contracts can describe future in-contract price rises. The calculator is designed to handle both newer fixed-price terms and older percentage-style wording.
Reference: Ofcom guidance on pounds-and-pence price rise rules.
Percentage wording may still appear
Contracts agreed before 17 January 2025 may still contain older annual price-rise terms. Use percentage mode if the provider notice refers to an inflation-linked adjustment.
Technical benchmark: legacy terms commonly referenced a published CPI or RPI inflation figure plus a fixed provider margin, often 3.9 percentage points. Check the exact contract wording and the specific inflation month named by the provider rather than assuming every older contract used the same benchmark.
Compare the total yearly cost, not just the increase
A small monthly rise can still matter over 12, 18 or 24 months. Compare the post-rise monthly bill with available deals and any exit fee.
30-day notice rule: if your contract does not set out how much the price can rise, or the provider raises the price by more than the amount set out in your contract, the provider should give at least 30 days’ notice and give you 30 days to leave without paying exit fees.
Common timing: Ofcom notes that monthly telecoms price rises usually happen once a year in March or April. Major UK broadband providers such as BT, EE, TalkTalk and Virgin Media have historically clustered annual adjustments around this window, but always check your own provider notice and contract wording.
Before you switch
What to check after a broadband price rise
Use these checks before accepting a renewal, challenging the bill or moving provider. A cheaper deal is useful only if the service and contract terms also work for your home.
| Priority Check | Why it matters | Useful LinkSpeed page |
|---|---|---|
| Contract End Date | Out-of-contract users can usually switch or negotiate without early termination charges. | Out-of-Contract Saving Guide |
| Exit Fees | Early Termination Charges can wipe out the saving from a cheaper alternative network. | Can I Switch Early? |
| Price-Rise Wording | For agreements signed from 17 January 2025, check whether the exact pounds-and-pence increase was stated clearly before you agreed to the contract. | Broadband Switching Rights Audit Hub |
| Available Networks | Openreach FTTP, Virgin Media cable or full fibre, and independent altnets can vary by street and building. | Fibre Broadband Availability Checker |
| Social Tariff Eligibility | Eligible households may be able to move to a lower-cost social tariff rather than accept a standard renewal price. | Broadband Social Tariffs Comparison |
Common broadband price-rise scenarios
I am out of contract
Compare the new monthly price with current offers. You may have stronger leverage to negotiate or move.
I am still in contract
Check the notice against the contract wording and calculate whether any exit fee outweighs switching savings. If the rise was not clearly set out in your contract, or is higher than the contract allowed, you may have a 30-day window to leave without exit fees after the provider notice.
The rise was not clear
Keep screenshots, order emails and renewal messages. Ask the provider to explain where the increase was shown.
My speed is poor too
Run wired tests and keep evidence. Poor performance may create a different complaint route from price alone. If your service dropped entirely or a repair was delayed, check the Broadband Compensation Calculator.
I am struggling to pay
Check social tariffs, payment support and cheaper packages before missing payments.
I have a bundle (Broadband + Pay TV)
Check whether broadband, TV, landline or mobile services sit under one linked agreement or separate contracts. If a provider changes a bundled service beyond the price-rise terms you agreed, you may have a right to leave the affected contract without penalty after the required notice. Whether that right extends across the whole bundle depends on how the services are contracted and billed.
Bundle warning: do not assume one changed service automatically cancels every linked product. Ask the provider to confirm in writing which contract IDs, discounts and exit fees are affected before cancelling.
Broadband price rise FAQs
How do I calculate my annual broadband price rise?
Subtract the old monthly price from the new monthly price, then multiply the difference by 12. The calculator also shows the cost over the number of months you choose.
Are inflation-linked broadband price rises banned?
For new contracts from 17 January 2025, providers cannot use inflation-linked or percentage-based price rise terms. They must show any in-contract increase upfront in pounds and pence.
Can my older broadband contract still have a percentage rise?
Yes. Older contracts agreed before 17 January 2025 may still include percentage-based or inflation-linked wording. Check your original contract and the provider notice.
Can I leave my broadband contract after a price rise?
It depends on your contract, whether you are in the minimum term, the wording of the price rise and whether the provider followed the required notice process. Check exit fees before ordering a new deal.
Should I cancel my direct debit after a price rise?
No. Cancelling payments can create billing and credit problems. Complain, switch correctly or negotiate with the provider instead.