Broadband mid-contract price rise: how to exit or claim

Mid-contract price rises catch out millions of broadband and mobile customers every spring. Whether you can do anything about it depends on when you took out the contract. Ofcom changed the rules in January 2025, and the protections differ between older inflation-linked contracts and newer fixed-increase ones. The key thing to check is whether your provider told you about the rise clearly, in pounds and pence, before you signed up. If they didn't, you usually have the right to leave penalty-free.

Published by Reclaim, run by Corey Musa, Founder·Facts and sources checked 2026-09-28·LinkedIn·Built by COM Computing

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Want a number first? Check whether your 2026 broadband or mobile rise gives you an exit right.

Your rights

If your provider increases your price mid-contract and that increase was not clearly set out in pounds and pence when you signed up, Ofcom rules require them to give you at least one month's notice and the right to exit your contract penalty-free. You can cancel within 30 days of being notified. From 17 January 2025, Ofcom banned inflation-linked or percentage-based mid-contract price rises for new phone, broadband, and pay-TV contracts. Any in-contract price rise agreed from that date must be set out in pounds and pence, prominently and clearly, at the point of sale, including when those increases will occur. Contracts taken out before 17 January 2025 may still contain CPI-linked or RPI-linked increases. These rises can be applied if they were part of your contract, but the provider must still have notified you properly. If the original term was not transparent, you may be able to challenge it.

Step by step

1Review your contract and the price rise notification. Note your contract start date, whether the increase was specified in pounds and pence at sign-up or as a percentage/inflation formula, and if the notice provides a cancellation window.
2If the rise was not fixed in pounds and pence when you signed up, write to your provider. State that under Ofcom's rules you are entitled to exit penalty-free, and that you wish to cancel without paying any early termination charge. Send this within 30 days of being notified of the price increase.
3If you want to stay but believe the rise is unfair or was not properly notified, raise a formal complaint. Ask the provider to reverse or waive the increase, or to match a cheaper deal to keep you.
4For advice on your rights or help with your complaint, contact Citizens Advice consumer service on 0808 223 1133, or 0808 223 1144 for Welsh speakers.
5If the provider refuses your penalty-free exit or does not resolve your complaint within 8 weeks (or issues a deadlock letter sooner), refer the dispute free of charge to the provider's Alternative Dispute Resolution scheme, either the Communications Ombudsman or CISAS, for an independent, binding decision.

What they'll say, and your comeback

“The price rise was in your contract, so you can't leave without paying the exit fee.”

Comeback, It only stops me leaving penalty-free if the increase was set out clearly in pounds and pence when I signed up. If it was expressed as a percentage or an inflation formula, Ofcom's rules give me the right to exit penalty-free, and I'm exercising it within the 30-day window.

“The increase is just CPI plus a fixed percentage, which is standard and allowed.”

Comeback, CPI-linked rises can only sit in contracts taken out before 17 January 2025, and even then you must have notified me properly. Please confirm my contract start date and the exact notification you sent. If it doesn't comply, I'm entitled to leave without penalty.

“You're outside the cancellation window now.”

Comeback, The right to exit runs for 30 days from when you properly notified me of the increase. Please confirm the date and method of that notification. If it wasn't clearly communicated, my window hasn't been properly triggered, and I still have the right to cancel penalty-free.

What actually happens

Millions of broadband and mobile customers face mid-contract price rises each spring. While Ofcom's January 2025 rules ban inflation-linked increases for new contracts, many existing customers still face them. The key to a penalty-free exit often lies in whether the original contract clearly stated the price rise in pounds and pence. If it didn't, or if your contract is new and still contains a banned clause, providers are legally required to offer a free exit. Most customers secure their right to cancel by sending a formal letter or email to their provider, citing Ofcom's rules. If the provider resists, escalating to the Communications Ombudsman or CISAS is usually effective. These independent bodies often side with consumers when rules on clear notification or the new ban are breached, leading to contract cancellation without fees, or sometimes a refund of unfair charges.

FAQ

How do I know if my contract is covered by the pounds-and-pence rule?

If you took out or renewed the contract on or after 17 January 2025, any in-contract price rise must have been stated in pounds and pence at sign-up. If it was instead a percentage or inflation-linked figure, or if it wasn't clearly disclosed, you should be able to leave penalty-free when the price goes up. Contracts from before that date may still be CPI-linked but must have been properly notified.

Can I claim money back for rises I've already paid?

If a rise was applied without proper notice or in breach of Ofcom's rules, you can complain and ask the provider to refund the difference. If they refuse and the complaint isn't resolved within 8 weeks, the Communications Ombudsman or CISAS can review it and order a refund or other redress as part of a binding decision.

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Sources

A self-serve tool, not a law firm. General information, not legal advice. Last researched 2026-09-28.