Out-of-contract broadband customers pay nearly a third more, research finds

Broadband customers who let their deal run out typically pay nearly a third more each month, new research into out-of-contract broadband prices has found.

The Newspage analysis, sponsored by Broadband Genie, compared what customers pay during and after their deal on 95 packages from 24 UK providers in September 2026.

All the deals ran for 18 or 24 months. When a deal ends, customers who stay with their provider are moved onto its out-of-contract price.

Some packages rise far more steeply than a third, which pulls the average up: across all 95, the out-of-contract price was £15.09 a month higher than the average monthly cost during the deal.

For a customer who stays out of contract for as long as their original deal, that adds up to an average of £348.

Twelve of the 95 deals had an out-of-contract price at least double the average monthly cost during the deal, across Virgin Media, Gigaclear, Onestream, Rise Fibre and YouFibre.

Virgin Media customers face the biggest rise, with out-of-contract broadband prices typically 147% higher across its five packages than the average monthly cost during the deal.

Customers on its Gig1Fibre package go from an average of £33.99 a month to £92, an extra £58.01 a month or £1,392 over two years.

Gigaclear follows, with a typical rise of 125% across its three packages. Customers on its Galileo 900 package go from an average of £31.22 a month during their 18-month deal to £85, a 172% rise and the largest of any package analysed.

Onestream is third, with customers paying an average of £49.70 a month once their deal ends, almost double the £25.34 they paid during it.

Rebel Internet keeps the price the same when a contract ends, while BT, EE, Sky and Vodafone add no more than £5 a month to the final in-contract price.

Prices also step up during these four providers' contracts. Their out-of-contract prices work out at an average of £7.25 to £8.50 a month more than customers paid on average during the deal.

Alex Tofts, Broadband Expert at Broadband Genie, told Newspage: "Unfortunately, loyalty gets you nothing as a broadband customer.

"You can try to re-contract or haggle with your current provider, but it's unlikely you'll ever match the deals rolled out to new customers.

"Switching is your superpower. You can check your contract status via your online account, but if you haven't reviewed your package in over two years, you are almost certainly out of contract and overpaying."

Newspage contacted the providers named in this article for comment and had received no response by the time of publication.

Your questions answered

Questions answered by Alex Tofts, Broadband Expert at Broadband Genie

How much does broadband go up when your contract ends?

It varies by provider, but prices typically jump anywhere from £5 to over £50 a month once your deal expires. As a rule, the higher the tier or speed you're on, the steeper the out-of-contract penalty you'll pay.

Should you switch broadband provider when your contract ends?

Switching broadband providers the moment your contract ends is one of the easiest ways to cut your household bills. When you come to the end of your minimum term, you'll be moved to a rolling monthly deal, usually at a much higher rate. Customers can save up to £452 a year simply by switching to a new deal.

Can you negotiate a cheaper broadband deal with your current provider?

You can re-contract or haggle with your current provider to lower your bill. Just don't expect to be offered the deal you see on their website offered to new customers.

If you only want to remain with your existing provider, to get the best results, be polite, respectful, and never accept their first offer. Crucially, remember you won't be cut off simply for asking or pushing for a better price.

How do you find out when your broadband contract ends?

You can log in to your online account or contact customer support with your details ready to check your end date. You should also watch out for your provider's end-of-contract notification letter or email.

What should you check before signing a new broadband contract?

The first thing to check is whether you're out of contract and free to switch. If you're still within your minimum term, leaving will trigger early termination fees.

If you receive benefits, it's worth checking if you qualify for a social tariff. These are discounted contracts with zero exit fees. Eligibility criteria vary between providers, so ask your current or prospective supplier what help is available.