One of the UK's prominent broadband providers has announced a significant increase to its monthly charges, marking a stark departure from its previous commitment to stable pricing.
Policy Reversal and Price Hike Details
Hyperoptic, a fibre broadband company serving approximately 400,000 active subscribers, will implement a price increase of up to £4 more per month starting in April 2026. This change represents a notable shift from its previous annual adjustment, which was a flat £3 increase each April.
The move follows the provider's decision to abandon its long-standing "no mid-contract price rise" promise. For new customers, the standard in-contract annual increase will now be £4, up from the previous £3. The company had previously built its reputation on price transparency, with former policy director James Fredrikson stating in 2023: "At Hyperoptic we don't do mid-contract price rises. We believe the price you see advertised should be the price you pay for the length of your contract."
Customer Reaction and Industry Context
The announcement has sparked considerable frustration among subscribers, many of whom chose Hyperoptic specifically for its fixed pricing guarantee. One angry customer questioned the logic behind the change, while another argued that if a company's costs are predicted to rise, it should not offer long-term contracts in the first place.
Further criticism focused on the practice of mid-contract increases across the industry. A customer suggested a solution, stating: "I think this could be solved by requiring them to prominently display the average monthly cost during the contract." Others labelled the move as "insane greed" that punishes loyal customers.
What This Means for Existing and New Subscribers
A key point of confusion for many is the status of existing customers. Hyperoptic has indicated that existing customers will remain on the old policy, but it is widely anticipated that they will transition to the new £4 increase terms when they next renew their contracts. This effectively means the new pricing policy will apply to both new sign-ups and recontracting customers in the future.
This policy shift places Hyperoptic in line with many other major UK broadband providers who routinely implement annual mid-contract price increases, often linked to inflation rates plus an additional percentage. The change removes a key differentiator for Hyperoptic in a competitive market and leaves customers with one fewer option for a truly fixed-price broadband deal.
