How fixed “pounds and pence” rises really work, and how to lock in value

If you’ve ever felt blindsided by mid-contract bill hikes, you’re not imagining it. The UK broadband market has shifted from inflation-linked rises to fixed pounds and pence increases, and that changes the picture for every household. This guide explains what changed, why many providers now add £3–£4 a month each April, and how you can secure a stable, great-value full fibre plan that won’t creep up unexpectedly.

What changed (and why it matters)

From 17 January 2025, Ofcom banned inflation-linked (CPI/RPI) or percentage-based mid-contract price-rise terms in new contracts. Any future change must be spelled out in pounds and pence at the point of sale. That means no more “CPI (or RPI) + 3.9%” clauses in new agreements; providers must show the exact amount and timing instead

What you’ll see in practice: most big providers now apply a fixed rise of around £3–£4 per month each April on new contracts. The headline is clearer, but fixed amounts don’t scale with your plan price—so the same £ rise can be a much bigger percentage on a lower-priced plan than on a premium one. Recent consumer coverage highlights how these flat amounts can outpace inflation for many households.

Two systems at once: why your neighbour’s rise looks different

We’re in a transitional market. If your contract started before your provider’s cutoff, your 2026 rise may still follow the old inflation formula (e.g., RPI or CPI + 3.9%). If you joined later, you’re on the fixed pounds-and-pence model. Example: Virgin Media applies RPI-based rises for customers who joined before 9 January 2025, and a fixed amount (e.g., £3.50) for later contract

Why flat fees can feel unfair: a quick bit of maths

Key take away point: percentage rises scale with your plan price; flat fees don’t. So a fixed £ increase is a larger slice of a cheaper plan and a smaller slice of an expensive one. That’s the essence of why fixed amounts can feel regressive—especially in a low-inflation year. (We’ve deliberately removed number-crunching to keep this crystal clear).

How the big brands approach 2026

• BT Group (BT/EE/Plusnet) & Virgin Media O2
  Now specify pounds-and-pence rises in new contracts. Legacy customers can still see CPI/RPI-linked rises depending on start date (e.g., Virgin’s pre-9 Jan 2025 cohort).

• Vodafone
  Fixed rise of £3 for contracts from 2 July 2024, increasing to £3.50 for contracts from 12 November 2025 (applied from April).

• TalkTalk
  Fixed rise increased from £3 to £4 for contracts from 16 November 2025 (applied each April).

• Sky / NOW
  Have moved to pounds-and-pence clarity for new deals in line with Ofcom’s rules; legacy terms varied historically

Alt-nets: where fixed-price still means fixed-price

Some alternative networks retain no mid-contract price rises as a core differentiator:

• Zen Internet — “Contract Price Promise”: the price you agree is the price you pay for your minimum term.

• brsk — promotes fixed prices with no mid-contract rises on fixed-term plans.

• Trooli — markets no mid-term rises; prices locked for the 24-month term.

• YouFibre — “No surprise price rises” during the contract (watch renewal pricing after the term).

A notable pivot: Hyperoptic, long associated with “no mid-contract rises”, moved in 2025/26 to an annual fixed-amount increase for new customers, aligning with big-brand practice.

Switching is simpler: One Touch Switch (OTS)

You no longer need to call your old provider. Under One Touch Switch, the gaining provider manages the move—including cancelling the old service, so switching Full fibre is much easier across different networks.

A practical plan to beat the April hump

1) Compare total cost, not the headline.
Add up what you’ll pay across the term including any April rises. Transparent fixed amounts make this easy.

2) Time it right.
If you’re taking a big-brand deal, May is often smarter (many rises land in April, so you’ll enjoy a long stretch before the next bump).

3) Prefer truly fixed-price Full fibre where available.
Address-level checks can surface alt-nets with no mid-term rises (Zen, brsk, Trooli, YouFibre). Provider sites often show exact eligibility, and switching is streamlined via OTS.

4) Treat add-ons carefully.
ISP-rented mesh kits and TV bundles can carry their own increases; buying your own mesh can be better value over a couple of years.

5) Social tariffs if you’re eligible.
Designed for affordability and typically don’t see mid-term hikes. Ideal if you need predictable bills.

Provider snapshots (so you can sense-check your options)

1. Virgin Media O2
   Legacy vs new: pre-9 Jan 2025 contracts follow RPI; newer ones apply a fixed monthly rise (e.g., £3.50) each April. Check your start date to know which rules you’re under.

2. Vodafone
   New/re-contracting users after 12 Nov 2025 face a £3.50 April increase; earlier 2024-25 new contracts were £3. Vodafone positions total costs competitively despite the fixed uplift.

3. TalkTalk
   Annual increase now £4 for contracts from 16 Nov 2025; applied each April. Consider timing sign-ups to avoid being hit straight after you join.

4. Hyperoptic
   Policy shift to annual rises for new customers; social tariffs typically exempt. We recommend checking the exact small print at sign-up.

Simple contract reading checklist (copy/paste for your own notes)

• Look for “pounds and pence” language (not CPI/RPI) and confirm the amount and the month the rise is applied.

• Count the rises inside your term (e.g., two April rises in a 24-month contract).

• Check add-ons (mesh/TV/landline) for separate increases.

• Verify renewal price (what happens after the minimum term).

• See if a fixed-price alt-net is available at your address (Zen, brsk, Trooli, YouFibre, and Voneus!).

• Know your switch path: OTS means your new provider handles the process.

FAQs

Why can my friend’s bill rise by a percentage while mine is a flat fee?

• Different contract start dates. Legacy deals can still use inflation formulas; new deals must state fixed amounts in pounds and pence.

Will all providers raise prices in April 2026?

• Most big brands plan fixed rises for new contracts; amounts vary by provider and contract start date. Some alt-nets still offer no mid-term rises.

Is there any real benefit to paying more for a fixed-price plan?

• Yes, predictability. If the maths (TCO) is close, fixed price can be worth it for peace of mind and simpler budgeting.

How easy is switching now?

• Under OTS, your new provider manages the process and cancellation with your old one.

So after all this, arn't you ready to move to Full fibre that puts clarity first?

• Check availability and pick your plan, you’ll see the full price today and what (if anything) changes later, before you click “Order”.

Sources

Ofcom rule change (ban on inflation-linked rises in new contracts; pounds-and-pence clarity from 17 Jan 2025). https://www.ofcom.org.uk/siteassets/resources/documents/consultations/category-1-10-weeks/272754-consultation-review-of-inflation-linked-telecoms-price-rises/associated-documents/statement-prohibiting-inflation-linked-price-rises2.pdf?v=370687&utm_source=chatgpt.com

Virgin Media dual system (RPI for contracts before 9 Jan 2025; fixed amount for newer deals). https://www.virginmedia.com/help/annual-price-change?utm_source=chatgpt.com

2026 rise levels and “regressive” effect vs inflation (consumer reporting). https://www.advanced-television.com/2026/01/15/uswitch-broadband-bills-to-rise-by-up-to-4x-rate-of-inflation/?utm_source=chatgpt.com

TalkTalk/Vodafone fixed-rise amounts and timelines. https://help-centre.talktalk.co.uk/Billing_and_Payments/Something_else/News_about_our_prices?utm_source=chatgpt.com

Hyperoptic policy pivot; alt-nets with no mid-term rises (Zen/brsk/Trooli/YouFibre). https://www.ispreview.co.uk/index.php/2025/06/hyperoptic-ends-campaign-against-mid-contract-broadband-price-hikes.html?utm_source=chatgpt.com

One Touch Switch guidance (Ofcom). https://www.ofcom.org.uk/phones-and-broadband/switching-provider/simpler-broadband-switching?utm_source=chatgpt.com