{"id":111347,"date":"2025-09-03T11:14:08","date_gmt":"2025-09-03T11:14:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/111347\/"},"modified":"2025-09-03T11:14:08","modified_gmt":"2025-09-03T11:14:08","slug":"are-60-per-cent-of-uk-broadband-customers-really-out-of-contract","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/111347\/","title":{"rendered":"Are 60 per cent of UK broadband customers really out of contract?"},"content":{"rendered":"


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A survey has claimed the majority of UK broadband customers are out of contract, despite the costs this incurs.<\/p>\n


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\n Neil Cumins
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\n Wednesday, 3 September, 2025 \n <\/p>\n


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\u00d7<\/p>\n

A survey published earlier this summer concluded that 60 per cent of UK households are currently out of contract with their ISP.<\/p>\n

Even more remarkably, that figure rose to almost two thirds of over-65s \u2013 an age group which typically has more free time to dedicate to life admin than working parents.<\/p>\n

Being out of broadband contract isn\u2019t a crime, but it could still cost you dear\u2026<\/p>\n

What happens when a broadband contract expires?<\/p>\n

The simple answer to this question perhaps explains why so many UK broadband customers don\u2019t bother acting.<\/p>\n

Superficially, at least, nothing happens or changes. Your ISP will continue to pipe data to and from your home without interruption. <\/p>\n

The main difference is likely to manifest itself on your bank statement.<\/p>\n

ISPs often advertise reduced costs during fixed-term broadband contracts, which then rise to a default monthly rate once that period ends, rather like standard variable rates on mortgages.<\/p>\n

Of course, not all ISPs hike prices in this way. Some smaller altnets <\/a>have frozen their prices for new and existing customers alike since 2021.<\/p>\n

However, the costs of allowing a contract to lapse could be considerable. <\/p>\n

Ofcom has previously calculated that across the UK, there was a \u00a3500 million disparity between average broadband prices and the costs of not having a contract<\/a>. <\/p>\n

Some ISPs like Community Fibre limit out-of-contract price rises to less than \u00a350 per year, but even this is a significant sum to households struggling with the cost-of-living crisis.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s important to differentiate between out-of-contract price rises and mid-contract rises<\/a>, which are perfectly legitimate but must be spelled out at the commencement of a contract.<\/p>\n

How do I know my contract is expiring?<\/p>\n

ISPs have to contact you between ten and 40 days prior to a contract ending, with a reminder and details of alternative deals.<\/p>\n

However, it\u2019s easy to put these missives in the bin, fail to read them properly or simply file them and then forget about them.<\/p>\n

Study the original contract documentation to confirm what period it covered \u2013 typically between 12 and 24 months.<\/p>\n

If you think your contract has recently ended, look for disparities in monthly charges, though these may also be distorted by extra usage, phone calls and so on.<\/p>\n

You could even contact your ISP to enquire when your contract is due to expire and have a chat with them about alternatives to their default monthly rate.<\/p>\n

Are people choosing not to be under contract?<\/p>\n

They are, and for a whole host of reasons.<\/p>\n

People who are moving house in the next year may not wish to be tied down to a contract they potentially couldn\u2019t port across to a new address.<\/p>\n

Households seeking an optimal deal may be happy to bide their time, wait for a favoured provider to arrive in their area, or be awaiting the installation of full fibre broadband<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Many people trust their existing ISP and don\u2019t feel a potentially modest monthly saving is worth the time investment required to achieve it.<\/p>\n

Being out of contract might suit people without long-term security, such as students unsure where they\u2019ll be in the next academic year, or renters uncertain if they\u2019ll renew their tenancy.<\/p>\n

After all, cost is only one factor influencing UK broadband customers. Reliability and customer service are also hugely important \u2013 and if it isn\u2019t broken\u2026<\/p>\n


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