What to Do When Your Broadband Contract Ends

If your broadband contract has ended and you have not done anything about it, you are almost certainly paying more than you should. When your initial deal runs out, your provider moves you onto what is known as an out-of-contract or rolling tariff. This is always more expensive, sometimes dramatically so.

Ofcom has estimated that customers on out-of-contract broadband deals collectively pay hundreds of millions of pounds more than they need to each year. The good news is that sorting it out is not difficult. You just need to know when to act and what your options are.

How to Tell If You Are Out of Contract

Most broadband contracts last 18 or 24 months. If you cannot remember when yours started, check your original confirmation email or log into your account on your provider's website. Since 2020, providers are required to send you an end-of-contract notification before your deal expires, letting you know your current price and what you will pay if you do nothing. If you missed that notification, your monthly bill going up is usually the telltale sign.

When to Start Looking

The best time to start exploring your options is about four to six weeks before your contract ends. This gives you enough time to compare deals, negotiate with your current provider, and arrange a switch if needed without any gap in service. Broadband switches are now handled through a one-touch process for most providers, meaning your new provider handles the changeover and you do not need to contact the old one.

Negotiate or Switch

Before you jump ship, it is worth calling your current provider. Ask to speak to their retentions team, sometimes called the disconnections team, and tell them you are thinking of leaving. They will often offer you a deal that matches or beats what new customers are getting. If the offer is good enough, you can stay without any disruption.

If they will not budge, switching is straightforward. Use comparison sites to find the best deal for your area, check what speeds are available at your address, and sign up with the new provider. In most cases, the entire switch happens within two weeks and there is little or no downtime.

Things to Watch Out For

• Speed claims. Providers advertise average speeds, not guaranteed ones. Check independent speed reviews for your area.
• Price rises. Many contracts now include annual mid-contract price increases, typically linked to CPI plus a fixed percentage. Read the small print.
• Bundle deals. If your broadband is bundled with TV or a phone line, make sure switching one does not affect the others.
• Early termination fees. If you are still within your contract period, leaving early will usually mean paying off the remaining months.

Track the Date

The simplest way to avoid overpaying is to know exactly when your contract ends. Orlo can store your broadband contract details and remind you before the end date, so you have time to shop around rather than drifting onto a pricier tariff without realising. A few minutes of attention at the right time can easily save you a hundred pounds a year or more.