Millions of mobile and broadband customers across the UK are set to face higher bills from 2026, as major telecoms providers O2, EE and Virgin Media have confirmed fixed price increases.
Provider-Specific Price Changes
O2 has announced that from April 2026, the monthly cost of Pay Monthly mobile plans will increase. Each subsequent April, voice plans will rise by £2.50, while data-only and smartwatch plans will increase by 75p. This marks a significant jump from the previous annual increase of £1.80 and will affect both new and existing customers.
EE customers will see their bills rise from 31st March 2026. The amount of the increase depends on when the contract was signed. For Mobile SIM Only and airtime plans, customers who signed between 10th April 2024 and 30th July 2025 will pay £1.50 more monthly, while those who signed from 31st July 2025 will see a £2.50 increase. Handset plan customers face hikes of either £1.50 or £4 depending on their contract date.
Broadband Bills on the Rise
Virgin Media is also implementing higher annual increases. Previously, broadband-only deals increased by £3.50 per month each year. This is now being raised to £4 per month annually. This change will apply to contracts that include broadband, or broadband and television.
EE has defended the changes, stating that the annual price adjustment allows them to continue investing in network infrastructure. "We know that your home relies on a brilliant connection," a spokesperson said. "Our annual price change means we can continue investing to deliver the best connection for you and your home, now and in the future."
New Transparency Measures
In a move towards greater clarity, O2 also highlighted a change in how price rises are communicated, in line with new Ofcom regulations. "We’re making our price updates clearer," they stated. "From now on, any updates to your bill will be shown in pounds and pence, not percentages or inflation measures. This makes it easier to see exactly what’s changing."
This shift away from linking price hikes to the Retail Price Index (RPI) provides customers with a fixed, predictable amount for their annual increase, removing the uncertainty of variable inflation-linked rises.
