Vodafone, EE and O2 are hiking prices – how to | Tech News

Buying a new cell phone is dear enough in 2026 given the growing prices of smartphones, however one other value to fear about is the cellular plan you pay for alongside the system itself. Whether you are paying off the fee of a handset in addition to an airtime plan, or have opted for a SIM solely deal, you is perhaps subject to some undesirable price rises this yr.

If you need to keep away from your payments growing, you may want to contemplate switching cellular suppliers.

Many UK cellular operators and third occasion resellers offer contracts on telephones or on airtime that increase yearly. This increase used to be linked to inflation, which makes the yearly will increase barely unpredictable.

In January 2025, new guidelines enforced by UK regulator Ofcom have been launched that imply cellular suppliers should state by how a lot contract prices will increase over the course of a contract in plain kilos and pence. Over the previous few months, acquainted telephone corporations have began to hike prices, with O2 asserting most of its prospects will see a £2.50 month-to-month invoice increase from April 2026.

Rivals EE and Vodafone may also raise prices by the identical quantity for contracts taken out since July 31 and November 12 respectively. New Three prospects who take out knowledge plans will see payments rise by at the least £1.80 this yr.

Sky Mobile has additionally simply raised prices for in-contract prospects for the primary time in seven years, a rarity for a supplier that prides itself on not having to do that.

If you are unimpressed with price rises set to have an effect on your month-to-month payments, you might swap to a new cellular supplier. This is a great option specifically when you already your own your telephone outright and are not paying off a long contract.

If you have not accomplished the initial time period of your contract, you might have to pay a termination charge to depart early.

Once you’ve paid off the fee of your handset, possible over 12, 24 or 36 months, chances are you’ll discover that you simply are no longer tied to paying the month-to-month value for the airtime.

In truth, many suppliers don’t let you know this, as sadly they will legally proceed overcharging you even when you’ve paid off the fee of the telephone. Instead, you’ll be able to swap to a totally different telephone operator, some of whom have just lately promised not to raise their prices. 

Giffgaff, which provides SIM-solely offers utilizing the O2 community, hasn’t raised prices of any of its plans for six years.

“At Giffgaff we believe in fair value for our members, which is why we don’t do mid-contract price rises and haven’t raised our plan prices in six years,” stated Kate Dohaney, Giffgaff CEO. “We also give our members the freedom to change their plan up and down each month should they wish to suit their budget.”

Giffgaff provides you the selection between 18 month SIM contracts, or month-to-month rolling plans that don’t tie you into a contract. The most cost-effective non-contract plan is £10 monthly, which will get you a respectable 20GB of month-to-month 5G knowledge.

The firm stated it would not raise prices mid-contract for any of its prospects, a promise echoed by Lebara.

“Sky Mobile joins O2 in increasing prices mid-contract for their millions of existing customers,” stated Mayur Jauhari, Commercial Director, Lebara Mobile UK. “Price hikes like this have become all too common across major networks, penalising people for staying loyal.

“At Lebara, we believe in fairness and transparency, which is why we never raise prices mid-contract. The price you agree to is the price you pay – no surprises, no hidden hikes. We remain committed to keeping things simple and affordable for our customers.”

Lebara, which makes use of the Vodafone community, provides a month-to-month rolling, no contract £5 plan with 5GB knowledge, 1,000 minutes and texts with 100 worldwide minutes. Its Unlimited knowledge tariff is £25 monthly.

Tesco Mobile, which makes use of the O2 community, has just lately dedicated to freezing cellular prices for Clubcard-carrying prospects. The firm provides particular pricing and perks to these Clubcard members who use their card when signing up for a Tesco Mobile deal.

“As the UK faces a cold snap, Tesco Mobile is putting mid-contract price rises firmly on ice. We’re proud to offer frozen prices on our exclusive Clubcard Price deals, guaranteeing that your monthly costs stay the same for the entire length of your contract,” stated Laura Joseph, Chief Customer Officer at Tesco Mobile.

“We know clarity and certainty matter when it comes to household budgets. With heating bills climbing, we want your mobile bill to be one less thing to worry about.

“For anyone reconsidering their options after recent price hikes across the market, Tesco Mobile provides a simple alternative: transparent pricing, frozen costs, and genuine value through Clubcard. Whatever the weather, at Tesco Mobile we help families stay connected without the stress of unexpected increases.”