Many major internet providers used to include inflation-linked annual price rises in customer contracts. Most used the CPI (consumer price index) figure from the previous December, plus an additional percentage. In an effort to make in-contract broadband price increases more clear – and in response to prominent public campaigning – Ofcom banned inflation-linked price rises for TV, mobile and broadband customers in 2024. The telecoms watchdog argued that inflation-linking “makes it difficult for customers to know what they will pay over the course of their contract”. Instead, from January 2025 any planned increases needed to be a flat hike listed in "pounds and pence".
This change certainly makes it clearer to customers how their bills will change through the course of their contract, but it has not been welcomed in all corners because some customers will see the cost of their broadband rising faster than it would have under the old system.
To make matters worse, most customers will be unable to leave their broadband contracts and switch to a cheaper provider without paying a fee. This is because price increases are often written into broadband contracts.
How much will my broadband go up by in 2025?
Despite the Ofcom ruling, some providers will still use inflation-linked measures to hike bills for customers who signed up before the changes were implemented. Providers including BT, Plusnet, EE, Vodafone, Plusnet and Three will increase prices annually by the December CPI rate of inflation plus 3.9% for customers who joined before the cutoff. Talktalk uses the CPI plus 3.7%, while Virgin Media uses the typically higher RPI (retail price index) for January, plus 3.9%.
A few providers do not include price increases in customer contracts. This includes Sky Broadband and NOW Broadband. In 2024 Sky raised prices across its range of products by an average of 6.7%, below major rivals BT and Virgin Media. NOW introduced a flat-rate increase of £3 per month, which worked out as a more than 15% hike for some customers. In 2025, Sky Broadband prices will rise by 6.2% on average, slightly below its major competitors.
Some smaller providers have ruled out in-contract price rises altogether. These include Hyperoptic, Trooli, Zen Internet, Utility Warehouse, Voneus, Connect Fibre, Hull Fibre, Link Broadband, Open Fibre, Squirrel Internet, Infinics and Yayzi.
You can see the details of the major providers' 2025 price changes in this table:
Broadband price increase 2025
| Broadband provider | 2025 inflation-linked price increase | 2025 fixed price increase | 2024 price increase | Cancel for free? |
| Virgin Media | 7.5% (February RPI rate + 3.9%) | £3.50 per month (for customers who signed up from 9 January 2025) | 8.8% (January RPI rate + 3.9%) | No |
| BT | 6.4% (CPI rate + 3.9%) | £3 per month (for customers who signed up from 10 April 2024) | 7.9% (CPI rate + 3.9%) | No |
| Plusnet | 6.4% (CPI rate + 3.9%) | £3 per month (for customers who signed up from 11 July 2024) | 7.9% (CPI rate + 3.9%) | No |
| EE | 6.4% (CPI rate + 3.9%) | £3 per month (for customers who signed up from 10 April 2024) | 7.9% (CPI rate + 3.9%) | No |
| Vodafone | 6.4% (CPI rate + 3.9%) | £3 per month (for customers who signed up from 2 July 2024) | 7.9% (CPI rate + 3.9%) | No |
| Three | 6.4% (CPI rate + 3.9%) | Up to £2 per month (for customers who signed up from 1 September 2024) | 7.9% (CPI rate + 3.9%) | No |
| KCOM | All customers on fixed price increase | £1-3 per month | 7.9% (CPI rate + 3.9%) | Check with your provider |
| TalkTalk | 6.2% (CPI rate + 3.7%) | £3 per month (for customers who signed up from 12 August 2024) | 7.7 % (CPI rate + 3.7%) | No |
| Community Fibre | 5.9% (February CPI rate + 2.9%) | £2 per month (for customers who signed up from 11 November 2024) | 6.9% (CPI rate + 2.9%) | No |
| Sky | No set figure (6.2% on average) | No set figure (6.2% on average) | 6.7% | Yes |
| Onestream | 7.5% (February RPI rate + 3.9%) | £2.75 per month | 8.8% | No |
| Gigaclear | All customers now on fixed price increase | £2-3 per month depending on contract (customers who started their contract before 26 December 2024 will not see an annual price increase in 2025) | 5.7% | No |
| NOW Broadband | No set figure (price rise still likely) | No set figure (price rise still likely) | £3 per month | Yes |
Can broadband prices go up mid-contract?
Unfortunately, yes. While most consumers would expect the initial price they agree to last for the full length of the contract period, broadband costs in the UK can go up. Many major broadband providers increase monthly bills during the minimum contract term, known as a mid-contract price rise. There are no rules or regulations to prevent this, but there is growing pressure for change.
The good news is that providers are supposed to include details of planned rises in your contract. If they do not, you can leave for free when your bill goes up. Your provider must tell you 30 days before the increase and, if it is not part of your contract, you can leave if you notify them within those 30 days.
The loophole used by most providers is to include a ‘inflation+’ clause in your contract. This ensures that your bill will go up by at least the rate of inflation and prevents you from leaving when it does, as you will be considered to have agreed to the hike, even though you had no idea how much it would be.
You can still cancel, but you might be hit with a pretty heavy early-termination fee unless you are out of contract.
When are broadband prices going up?
Most customers will see their bills change in March or April of 2025. Keep in mind that your broadband price can also go up when your contract ends. This can involve a very sharp rise as the original price you agreed is usually heavily discounted from the standard price and only lasts for a fixed term, usually 12, 18 or 24 months.
How to cancel my broadband
You may be able to cancel your broadband for free even if you are under contract. Here are our in-depth guides on how to cancel with each of the UK’s major broadband providers:
- ‘How to cancel BT Broadband’
- ‘How to cancel Virgin Media Broadband’
- ‘How to cancel Sky Broadband’
- ‘How to cancel TalkTalk Broadband’
- ‘How to cancel NOW TV Broadband’
- ‘How to cancel EE Broadband’
- ‘How to cancel Vodafone Broadband’
- ‘How to cancel Plusnet broadband’
Should I cancel my broadband?
If you are unsure whether to cancel your broadband after a price hike or to stick with your current provider, your best option is to do some research. We have written full, independent reviews for each of the UK's biggest broadband providers so you can get a better understanding of what each can offer:
- ‘BT Broadband Review’
- ‘Virgin Media Broadband Review’
- ‘Sky Broadband Review’
- ‘TalkTalk Broadband Review’
- ‘NOW Broadband Review’
- ‘EE Broadband Review’
- ‘Vodafone Broadband Review’
- ‘Plusnet Broadband Review’
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