Out-of-Contract Broadband Prices: UK Providers Compared
When your broadband minimum term ends, the service normally continues without interruption.
The provider moves your account to a rolling agreement, but any introductory discount can end at the same time.
This can leave you paying much more for the same broadband speed, router and service.
More than one in four fixed-broadband customers have at least one service outside its minimum term, while out-of-contract standalone broadband customers pay an average of £7 more each month.
The increase varies significantly between providers. Some add a small fixed amount to the final contract price. Others remove the introductory discount and apply a much higher standard monthly charge.
Your choices are straightforward: accept the rolling price, renew with the current provider or switch. This guide compares current post-contract prices, explains the main rules and helps you calculate the cost of waiting.
Out-of-Contract Broadband at a Glance
| Details | |
|---|---|
| Broadband service | Continues after the minimum term |
| Contract status | Changes to a rolling agreement |
| Monthly price | Introductory discounts can end |
| Early termination charge | Does not normally apply after the minimum term |
| Contract-end notification | Sent between 10 and 40 days before the end date |
| Main choices | Remain, renew or switch |
| Best first step | Compare the post-contract charge with current deals |
Your contract-end notification contains the most accurate price for your account. It should show your contract end date, current payment, post-contract charge, notice requirements and available renewal deals.
A provider’s general price list is less useful when your account includes an old package, retention discount, home phone service, TV package or paid Wi-Fi add-on.
Five of the Highest Out-of-Contract Broadband Prices
The table uses comparable packages with average download speeds between 132Mbps and 150Mbps. This avoids ranking one provider’s gigabit package against another provider’s entry-level full-fibre deal.
| Provider | Example package | In-contract price | Post-contract price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virgin Media | M125 132Mbps | £23.99 | £62 |
| Sky | Full Fibre 150 150Mbps | £24 | £46.50 |
| Hyperoptic | 150Mb 150Mbps | From £19 | £45 |
| BT | Full Fibre 150 150Mbps | £27.99 | Up to £40.99 |
| Plusnet | Full Fibre 145 145Mbps | £22.99 | £35.99 |
Prices checked on 10 September 2026. Starting offers vary by postcode and sales channel. Scheduled annual increases can raise both the contract and post-contract prices before the minimum term ends.
These figures show why comparing only the starting monthly payment can give the wrong impression. A heavily discounted package can look cheap when ordered but become one of the more expensive services after the discount ends.
Virgin Media has the largest difference in this comparison. Its standard prices remain much higher than its introductory offers across several broadband-only packages.
Sky and Hyperoptic also use introductory discounts that can leave a significant difference between the starting and post-contract prices. The exact increase depends on the package and any annual changes applied during the minimum term.
BT appears in this table even though it limits its immediate post-contract uplift. Its total monthly payment can still be relatively high because the package receives scheduled increases during the contract before the final post-contract increase applies.
Plusnet uses different standard prices according to the date a customer joined or last renewed. Customers with older agreements can have a different post-contract charge from the current example.
This is a price comparison rather than an overall provider ranking. Broadband speed, upload speed, customer service, Wi-Fi equipment and local network availability also affect the value of a package.
Five Providers With Smaller Post-Contract Increases
A smaller end-of-term increase does not always mean the lowest final monthly bill. It means the provider applies a more limited increase when the minimum term ends.
| Provider | Post-contract increase | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Community Fibre | £4 | Moves to a 30-day agreement; a £2 annual increase applies each April |
| BT | Up to £5 | Added to the final in-contract monthly price |
| EE | Up to £5 | Added to the final in-contract monthly price |
| Hey!Broadband | £5 | A separate 30-day rolling package is available |
| Vodafone | £7 | The price plan in force when the minimum term ends applies |
Community Fibre uses one of the clearest end-of-term policies. The monthly bill increases by a fixed amount and the service changes to a 30-day agreement. Annual broadband increases continue after the minimum term.
BT and EE also limit the immediate post-contract increase. However, both apply scheduled annual increases during the contract. The final rolling price can therefore be higher than the introductory payment even though the end-of-term increase itself remains limited.
Hey!Broadband offers fixed-term and 30-day packages. The current price difference between its 150Mbps examples is smaller than the differences applied by providers that remove larger introductory discounts.
Vodafone’s current example shows a relatively small difference, but the future rolling charge is not permanently fixed at the beginning of the contract. The price plan available when the minimum term ends determines the post-contract payment.
Always separate these two questions:
- How much does the price rise when the minimum term ends?
- How much will the complete monthly bill be after all annual increases?
A provider can apply a small end-of-term increase and still have a higher final price than a competitor with a larger increase from a cheaper starting point.
Out-of-contract broadband cost calculator
Compare the cost of staying out of contract with the total cost of a new broadband deal.
Your prices
Include price rises, fees and rewards
Please enter valid prices of £0 or more.
Your estimated costs
| Comparison period | 24 months |
|---|---|
| Stay out-of-contract cost | £1,200.00 |
| New deal total cost | £768.00 |
| New deal effective monthly cost | £32.00 |
This estimate excludes usage charges and any costs not entered above. Check the provider’s order summary before you switch or renew.
How to avoid high out-of-contract Prices
You do not need to switch every time a minimum term ends. The main objective is to avoid paying a higher rolling price without checking the available alternatives.
Use the contract-end notification
Your provider must contact you 10 to 40 days before your minimum term ends. The notification should include:
- Your contract end date
- Your current and out-of-contract prices
- The required notice period
- Available renewal offers
- Prices available to new customers
Check that your provider has your current email address and mobile number. If you remain out of contract, you should receive updated deal information every year. You can renew or switch at any time without waiting for this reminder.
Compare before renewing
Renewing lets you keep the same connection and usually avoids installation work. However, compare the full contract cost rather than judging the offer by its starting price.
Check the contract length, scheduled price increases, out-of-contract price, average speeds, setup costs and paid add-ons. Include any TV or mobile discounts that depend on keeping the broadband service.
Compare the renewal with new-customer deals available at your postcode. Also confirm whether it changes your speed, router, home phone service or minimum guaranteed speed.
Switch through One Touch Switch
One Touch Switch lets you change broadband and landline providers by contacting the new provider. It applies to switches across the Openreach network and moves involving Virgin Media and participating alternative networks.
Your existing provider will confirm the service end date, final balance, any early termination charge and the effect on linked services. The new provider then manages the switch.
Make sure the account holder’s name, postcode and contact details are correct. Do not cancel the old broadband separately unless the new provider tells you to do so. Otherwise, your connection could end before the replacement service starts.
Check linked TV, phone and mobile services
One Touch Switch does not automatically transfer or cancel every paid television service. Check separate agreements for TV, mobile and other linked products.
Switching can affect:
- Landline number transfers and call packages
- TV recordings and streaming subscriptions
- Mobile or multi-service discounts
- Provider email accounts
- Wi-Fi, security and other paid add-ons
Compare the total household cost after the switch. A cheaper broadband package could cost more overall if you need to replace lost discounts or services.
Move important accounts away from a provider email address before leaving. Access could end after cancellation or require a separate payment.
Review annual price changes
Annual and out-of-contract increases are separate charges. An annual increase applies on a stated date, while an out-of-contract increase normally begins when the minimum term or introductory discount ends.
Contracts agreed from 17 January 2025 must show scheduled increases in pounds and pence, together with the date they apply. Older contracts can still include percentage-based or inflation-linked increases.
If a provider introduces an increase that was not included in your agreement, it must give advance notice. You can usually leave without an early termination charge.
Use a social tariff when eligible
Social tariffs offer lower-cost broadband to customers receiving eligible benefits. They usually have flexible conditions, no setup fee and no early termination charge.
Universal Credit is widely accepted. Some providers also accept Pension Credit, Income Support, Employment and Support Allowance, Jobseeker’s Allowance or Personal Independence Payment.
Eligible customers can usually move from their provider’s standard package to its social tariff without waiting for the contract to end. Compare the available speed as well as the price before changing.
Time the change carefully
Start comparing deals when the contract-end notification arrives. This gives you time to check renewal offers, installation dates and linked-service conditions.
Arrange an engineer visit away from important work or personal commitments. Keep mobile data available as temporary backup if an uninterrupted connection is essential.
Return loaned equipment
Routers, Wi-Fi boosters and TV boxes often remain the provider’s property. Return everything requested and keep proof of postage.
Check the final bill for charges after the switch date, equipment fees, usage charges, refunds and remaining account credit. Contact the old provider if the balance does not agree with the confirmed cancellation date.
Out-of-contract broadband FAQs
What happens when my broadband contract ends?
Your broadband normally continues without interruption. The minimum term ends, but the provider can move you to its out-of-contract price. Any introductory discount can also end.
Can my provider increase the price after my contract ends?
Yes. The provider can apply the out-of-contract price stated in your agreement or contract-end notification. It must give advance notice of other price changes.
Can I leave after the minimum term without an exit fee?
Yes. An early termination charge does not normally apply once the minimum term has ended. Follow the provider’s cancellation process or use One Touch Switch when moving to another provider.
Do I need to give notice when switching broadband?
Contact the new provider when using One Touch Switch. It will arrange the transfer and notify your existing provider. If you cancel without switching, follow the notice requirements in your agreement.
When will I receive my contract-end notification?
Your provider must send it between 10 and 40 days before the minimum term ends. It should show your end date, current payment, out-of-contract price and available renewal offers.
Is renewing better than switching?
That depends on the complete cost and service. Compare the renewal with deals available at your postcode, including contract length, scheduled increases, setup charges, speeds and included features.
Can I negotiate a better renewal price?
Yes. Ask the provider for its best existing-customer offer and compare it with new-customer deals. Check that a lower price does not reduce your speed or remove an existing feature.
Does going out of contract reduce my broadband speed?
No. Reaching the end of the minimum term does not reduce the connection speed by itself. Your existing service normally continues unless you renew, switch or change package.