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.
Related questions
Official sources
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