Can my internet company increase my price during my contract?
In the UK, the rise itself is still allowed — but since 2025, providers can no longer hide it behind a vague inflation formula.
In the UK, yes, providers can still raise your price mid-contract — but since 17 January 2025, Ofcom rules require any such rise on a new contract to be disclosed in exact pounds and pence at the point of sale, not linked to inflation or a percentage formula you'd have to calculate yourself. Both inflation-linked (like "CPI + 3.9%") and general percentage-based mid-contract rises are now banned outright for new UK contracts. In the US, there's no equivalent federal rule — whether and how your price can rise mid-contract depends entirely on your specific provider's terms.
What actually changed in the UK, and what didn't
| What changed | What stayed the same |
|---|---|
| Inflation-linked and percentage-based mid-contract rises are banned outright for new/renewed contracts from 17 Jan 2025 | Providers can still raise prices mid-contract — the ban is on the METHOD of disclosure, not on rises happening at all |
| Any planned rise must be shown in exact pounds and pence at signup, "prominently and transparently" | The rule applies to the "Core Subscription Price" — some variable charges (like out-of-allowance calls) fall outside this definition |
| Providers must also be clear about WHEN the price change will occur | Contracts signed before 17 Jan 2025 with an old inflation-linked clause generally still follow that old clause until the contract ends or is renewed |
Check which situation you're actually in
- Check when you signed or last renewed your contract — if it was before 17 January 2025 and includes an inflation-linked clause, that clause likely still applies until the contract ends.
- If you signed after that date, your provider was required to show you the exact pounds-and-pence rise (and timing) at signup — check your original contract documentation for this disclosure.
- If a price rise wasn't disclosed this way and you're now being charged more than expected, this is worth raising directly with your provider, citing Ofcom's rule.
- If your provider won't resolve it, escalate to Ofcom or a relevant Alternative Dispute Resolution scheme (Ombudsman Services: Communications or CISAS, depending on your provider).
The US situation
There's no equivalent nationwide rule requiring internet providers to disclose mid-contract price rises in a specific format, or banning inflation-linked increases. Whether and how your price can change mid-contract is governed entirely by your specific provider's terms of service — check the "price changes" or "modifications" section of your contract directly, since this varies considerably provider to provider.
Does the UK ban on inflation-linked price rises apply to my existing contract? Only if you signed or renewed your contract on or after 17 January 2025. If you're on an older contract with an inflation-linked clause (like CPI+3.9%), that term generally still applies until your contract ends or you resign.
Can I leave my UK phone or broadband contract penalty-free if the price goes up? If the price rise wasn't clearly disclosed in pounds and pence at signup as now required, or if it's an increase beyond what was disclosed, you may have the right to exit the contract without an early termination fee — check with Ofcom's guidance or your provider directly.
Related questions
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