Summer Leavin': Uswitch issues broadband warning as thousands of contracts due to end this month

• Many broadband deals taken out during last year’s January sales are set to expire, leaving customers on default tariffs costing on average £162 more than the best offers[1]

• Households that get their broadband from Sky, BT, Plusnet, TalkTalk or Virgin Media most likely to be affected

• Uswitch urges consumers to check their paperwork to see when their broadband contract ends - and if they could switch to a better deal. 

Comparison and switching service Uswitch.com is warning consumers not to fall out of contract as thousands of broadband deals are set to expire this month.

Many will be 18-month deals that were snapped up in last year’s January sales, when further UK lockdowns forced Brits to work from home and many reconsidered their home broadband needs. 

According to Ofcom, as many as 7.4 million people in the UK are out of contract and paying over the odds for their broadband after their initial term is up[1]. Switching onto a new deal could save £162 a year on average[2].

With an expected surge in customers reaching the end of their contracts, the country’s biggest providers will be pulling out all the stops to retain them and encourage moves from their rivals. 

In particular, households who get their internet through Sky, Virgin Media, Plusnet, TalkTalk and BT should keep an eye out for an end-of-contract notification (ECN) by post, email or text message. This will show the date their current contract expires, the price they will pay once it does and the best alternative deals it can offer.

Nick Baker, telecoms expert at Uswitch.com, says: “It’s easy to forget about contracts in the summer when the heat, holidays and barbecues are more distracting. But when every penny matters, it’s important to stay alert to how much you are paying for your broadband and when your contract term is due to end. 

“The end of a contract is a good time to re-evaluate your options, especially if you’ve been with the same provider for a long time. It’s worth considering if the speeds and service offered are still meeting your needs.

“If your deal ends soon, you should have received an ECN from your provider. This should be a spur to consider your options - doing nothing will mean you end up overpaying.

“There is plenty of competition among broadband providers and, if you want to up your internet speed, full fibre services offering more consistent connectivity and superfast downloads are available at competitive prices.”

Tips for changing your broadband deal

See what’s out there: Run a comparison at Uswitch.com to see which alternative broadband packages are available to suit your needs.

Budget check: Before signing up to a new contract, consider what you’re willing to pay every month. Most broadband contracts last for 18 or 24 months, so plan ahead to ensure you can afford your chosen package for the entire term.

Get up to speed: Superfast fibre broadband is now available to over 95% of the UK and if you’re on an old copper wire connection, you could probably get speeds at least three times as fast as your current deal for around the same price or even cheaper.

Stay lean: You may have services bundled with your existing package that you no longer need or could strip back with a new contract, such as pay-TV services. Most online streaming services have rolling monthly contracts so you could get greater flexibility with your viewing, while your mobile could replace the need to pay extra for landline calls.

Timing is everything: You usually have to give a month’s notice to your current provider to cancel your deal, even when you’re out of contract. As some companies can take up to six weeks to install a new service, the best bet is to call them up and see when you can be connected to make sure the process goes smoothly and you don’t overpay.

For more advice visit Uswitch’s guide on changing your broadband service

Notes to editors:

​​1. Ofcom: End of contract notifications driving better deals for customers

2. Uswitch.com