- Under newer Ofcom rules, any mid-contract price rise must be set out clearly in pounds and pence at the point of sale.
- This replaced the older approach of inflation-linked rises expressed as a percentage above an index such as CPI.
- The newer rules apply to contracts entered into from 17 January 2025; older contracts may still have inflation-linked terms.
- A price rise that you did not clearly agree to in advance can give a right to exit without penalty, depending on the rules and terms.
Broadband price rises have been a long-running source of frustration, especially the mid-contract increases linked to inflation that left customers unable to predict their bills. Ofcom changed the rules. Understanding which rules apply to your contract, and what rights a price rise gives you, lets you respond correctly rather than simply absorbing an increase.
The newer rules: pounds and pence upfront
Under newer Ofcom rules, if a contract includes any mid-contract price rise, it must be set out clearly in pounds and pence at the point of sale, so you know exactly what increases to expect before you sign. This replaced the older practice of expressing rises as a percentage above an inflation index, which made future bills hard to predict. The aim is transparency: you agree to specific, known increases rather than an open-ended formula.
The older approach
Before the change, many contracts included mid-contract rises linked to an inflation measure such as CPI, often plus an additional percentage. These were lawful if set out in the contract, but customers found them unpredictable and hard to understand. Contracts entered into before the newer rules took effect may still contain such inflation-linked terms, so the rules that apply to you depend on when you signed.
Which rules apply to you
The dividing line is the date you entered the contract. The newer pounds-and-pence rules apply to contracts taken out from 17 January 2025. Contracts signed earlier may still be governed by inflation-linked terms agreed at the time. Check your contract and its date to know where you stand, and confirm the current rules, as details can be updated.
Price rise rights by contract date
| Contract date | Typical price-rise basis |
|---|---|
| Newer contracts (from 17 January 2025) | Rises set out in pounds and pence upfront |
| Older contracts | May have inflation-linked (e.g. CPI plus) terms |
| Rise you did not clearly agree | Possible right to exit without penalty |
What to do on a price rise
When notified of a rise, check your contract date and terms. If the increase is one you clearly agreed to in advance, in pounds and pence, it stands. If it is a change you did not clearly agree to, you may have a right to exit without penalty, depending on the rules and your terms. Either way, a price rise is a prompt to compare your deal against the market and decide whether to negotiate, stay or switch.
Frequently asked questions
Can my broadband price go up during my contract?
It can if your contract provides for it. Under newer Ofcom rules, any mid-contract rise must be set out in pounds and pence at sign-up, so you agree to specific known increases. Older contracts may instead contain inflation-linked terms agreed at the time.
What are my rights when my broadband price rises?
If the rise is one you clearly agreed to in advance, in pounds and pence, it generally stands. If it is a change you did not clearly agree to, you may have a right to exit without penalty, depending on the rules and your terms. A rise is also a prompt to compare the market.
Do the new Ofcom price rules apply to me?
It depends on when you entered the contract. The newer pounds-and-pence rules apply to contracts taken out from 17 January 2025. Contracts signed earlier may still be governed by inflation-linked terms. Check your contract date and confirm the current rules.
How do I exit my contract after a price rise?
If the price rise is a change you did not clearly agree to in advance, you may have a right to exit without penalty within a window after being notified. Check the notification and your terms, raise it with the provider, and escalate to the ombudsman if a valid exit right is refused.
What is CPI and why does it matter for broadband pricing?
CPI, the Consumer Prices Index, is a measure of inflation that older broadband contracts often used to set mid-contract price rises, frequently as CPI plus an additional percentage. Newer Ofcom rules moved away from this to clearer pounds-and-pence increases set out at sign-up.
