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Are you one of the millions of Britons overpaying on their broadband by over £260 a year?
If you're happy with your current broadband deal, chances are, you might not be paying attention to your monthly bills. But when it comes to broadband, loyalty is not rewarded.
Most UK broadband providers will increase your monthly costs each year, which means the longer you're with the same supplier, the more you pay for the same service.
You could be missing out on savings of up to £260.33 if you're out of contract, new research shows. When you sign-up for a broadband deal, you agree to stick with the company for a minimum contract term, usually 24-months.
When your broadband contract ends, you're considered "out of contract", which means you can switch to another internet provider without incurring any costs. All age groups in the UK have the potential to save on their internet service by regularly switching between broadband firms whenever their current contract ends, but if you're aged over 65, research shows you're likely to save even more on your annual bills.
According to figures from Broadband Genie, the average Briton will save £183.60 by switching to a new deal. But if you're over the age of 65, that figures rises to a whopping £260.33.
"Over-65s, in particular, are sitting on a broadband gold mine. But it’s not just them, everyone should be reviewing their deal and switching more often to take advantage of the savings available," said Alex Tofts, Strategist at Broadband Genie. Those who have remained loyal to their provider the longest will be paying the most for their speeds.
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Broadband Genie interviewed 4,000 broadband bill payers across the UK to determine the cost of staying loyal to the same broadband provider, and which generation of Britons is the best — or worst— at regularly switching between suppliers to keep on top of their broadband deals.
According to the research, over 50% of all ages are out-of-contract, potentially paying more than necessary. Given that there are approximately 28.9 million broadband connections in the UK, half of that figure equates to millions of people nationwide who could save on their monthly bills.
Age category | % out of contract |
18 - 24 | 55% |
25 - 34 | 57% |
35 - 44 | 60% |
45 - 54 | 61% |
55 - 64 | 61% |
65+ | 64% |
Average | 60% |
"Our findings show that many people are hesitant to switch simply because they’re happy with their current service. But it’s worth checking, there may be a better deal out there with no compromise on quality," added Tofts. "And if you do switch and find it’s not right for you, there’s a 14-day cooling-off period from the activation date where you can cancel with no questions asked."
Broadband subscribers living in the South West of England, Scotland, and Northern Ireland are the most likely to be able to switch to a cheaper internet deal, Broadband Genie figures show.
Want to find out whether you're out of contract and able to switch? It's as simple as making a single phone call.
Whether you’re eyeing a better deal or planning your next move, knowing where you stand with your current contract is essential. Thankfully, there's a quick and easy way to find out — just give your provider a call. Below, you’ll find the direct customer service numbers for all major UK broadband and mobile brands.
These lines will connect you to the teams that can tell you whether you’re still within your minimum term — or officially free to switch or negotiate a better deal.
BT
📞 0800 800 150
EE
📞 0800 956 6000
O2
📞 0344 809 0202
Plusnet
📞 0800 432 0200
Sky
📞 0333 7591 018
TalkTalk
📞 0345 172 0088
Tesco Mobile
📞 0345 301 4455
Three
📞 0333 338 1001
Virgin Media
📞 0345 454 1111
Vodafone
📞 0333 304 0191
If you're unsure what to say when you call, just ask: "Can you confirm if I'm still in my minimum contract term, or am I out of contract?" It's a simple question that could save you money — and unlock the freedom to shop around for faster, cheaper broadband or mobile deals.
Broadband Genie divided the results of its survey based on age range:
Age category | Average spend | Typical savings |
18 - 24 | £29.49 | £78.00 |
25 - 34 | £31.52 | £102.38 |
35 - 44 | £35.31 | £147.87 |
45 - 54 | £39.65 | £199.96 |
55 - 64 | £41.79 | £225.64 |
65+ | £44.68 | £260.33 |
If you're looking to switch your internet provider due to cost or sluggish speeds, it may be even easier before, thanks to the slow roll-out of the new 'One Touch Switch' process. After multiple delays, the hassle-free switchover system started to slowly come online across the UK at the end of last year, with broadband suppliers who operate their own full-fibre networks already seeing the benefits of this industry-led initiative.
Under One Touch Switch, ditching your slow broadband is easier than ever. Customers will only need to contact their new supplier to initiate the change. The new broadband firm will handle all aspects of the switch, including terminating the existing contract and organising the installation date for the new broadband supplier.
If that sounds familiar, it's because this seamless behind-the-scenes experience already exists... but only for those who move between brands that operate on Openreach cables, like BT, EE, Sky, TalkTalk, and Plusnet, to name just a few.
With the introduction of 'One Touch Switch' process, Ofcom will insist those moving between full-fibre networks — like Virgin Media’s full-fibre network, which connects to roughly 16 million homes, to smaller operators like HyperOptic and Community Fibre, as well as BT-owned Openreach — enjoy the same experience.
OPENREACH PRESS OFFICE | If you're outside of the minimum term of your broadband contract, it couldn't be easier to switch between providers. Simple sign-up for a new deal and that provider will be tasked with contacting your existing supplier to arrange the switchover. There's automatic compensation if you're left without internet for too long
Given that BT is already seeing record numbers flee its network for smaller full-fibre rivals, could this new system open the flood-gates?
The streamlined new sign-up process eliminates the need for you to give 30 days' notice to the existing provider. Not only that, but it removes the stress of trying to sync-up the cut-off date from the old provider to the installation date from the new broadband firm — minimising the time without an internet connection.
Billing and activation dates will now be coordinated between the broadband operators in the background, further reducing the administrative burden. Best of all, if your new internet provider is unable to connect you on the date agreed, you’ll receive compensation. There's no need to take action, the money is sent automatically.
Whether you're looking to switch between two broadband providers who operate on the Openreach network, or you want to move to a full-fibre connection from Virgin Media O2, Community Fibre, or CityFibre... you'll enjoy the same hassle-free experience.
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