Mobile network giants Vodafone and Three have confirmed they will impose significantly higher mid-contract price increases on new customers, with the changes set to take effect from April 2026.
New Price Rise Structure Explained
The new pricing strategy will impact anyone who signed a new contract on or after Sunday, 9 November 2025. This move marks a continuation of the industry-wide trend where major broadband and mobile providers implement annual price hikes.
For Vodafone, the new annual increases will be:
- Fixed line broadband deals: £3.50
- SIM-Only Basics plans: £1.50
- Handset airtime and mobile broadband: £2.50
Three's new price increases will be:
- Plans with 4GB data and below: £1.80
- Plans with 5GB to below 100GB: £1.90
- Plans with 100GB or more: £2.30
- Home broadband: £3.50
Industry Backlash and Consumer Warnings
The announcement has been met with sharp criticism from consumer experts. Alex Tofts, a telecoms expert at Broadband Genie, stated: “What we’re seeing from Vodafone, Three and other providers is completely unacceptable in the current economic climate and completely out of touch.”
He emphasised that these mid-contract price rises create confusion and place additional financial pressure on households already struggling with the cost of living. Tofts warned that at the current rate, customers will soon be facing double-digit annual increases on their monthly bills.
Broadband Genie has issued a stark warning, stating that nothing currently prevents providers from raising prices to whatever level they choose. The firm has called for Ofcom to intervene, suggesting that the regulator's current framework has failed millions of customers.
How to Protect Yourself from Price Hikes
For existing Vodafone and Three customers, the annual price rise you agreed to at the start of your contract will still apply.
However, for consumers looking for new broadband or mobile deals, several providers offer fixed-price contracts that guarantee no mid-contract increases. For broadband, these include Rebel Internet, Trooli, toob, and YouFibre. For mobile services, networks such as Smarty, giffgaff, Lebara, and VOXI provide fixed-price plans.
Switching to a provider with a fixed-price deal is currently the most effective way for UK consumers to gain certainty and protect their household budgets from unexpected mid-contract bill shocks.
