Price rises · 4 min read
Why does my phone bill go up every April?
Your mobile bill rises every April because it's written into your contract. Here's what it costs you and how to dodge next year's rise.
Same phone. Same plan. Same patchy signal on the train. And yet every spring, a bigger number on the bill.
Your phone bill goes up every April because most UK mobile contracts have a yearly price rise written into them. Since 17 January 2025, Ofcom's rules say that rise must be shown in pounds and pence when you sign. In April 2026 that meant roughly £1.80 to £2.50 a month more on most SIM-only plans from the big networks, and up to £4 more on some plans with a phone.
The way out is a plan that doesn't build the rise in. At Kindly there are no annual price rises, and every plan is 30-day rolling.
Why do mobile networks put prices up every April?
EE, O2, Vodafone and Three all put their prices up every April. It isn't a surprise to them. The rise is in the contract you signed, usually somewhere in the small print you scrolled past at checkout.
April is simply when the industry decided to do it. The networks say it pays for investment in the network. Maybe. But it's the same network you had in March.
What changed in January 2025?
Until 2025, most rises were tied to inflation plus a few per cent (often "CPI + 3.9%"). Nobody knew the real figure until it arrived, and in high-inflation years it was eye-watering.
Ofcom banned that for new contracts. Any contract signed since 17 January 2025 has to state the rise in pounds and pence up front. That's better. But notice what didn't change: the rise still happens. You can just see it coming now.
How much does the April rise really cost?
It sounds small. That's the clever part. Here's an illustrative £2.50 rise, the most common SIM-only figure in 2026:
| One phone | Family of four | |
|---|---|---|
| Extra per month | £2.50 | £10 |
| Extra per year | £30 | £120 |
| Extra per month after two Aprils (if the same rise repeats) | £5 | £20 |
That's money for exactly the same service. And because each rise sits on top of the last, it never resets on its own.
Can I leave my contract if the price goes up?
It depends on what you signed.
- The rise was in your contract: you agreed to it, so leaving early usually means paying the rest of your contract or an exit fee.
- The rise wasn't set out when you signed: your network must give you at least a month's notice, and you can leave without a penalty.
Not sure which you have? Text INFO to 85075 and your network will text back your contract end date and any early exit fee. It's free.
How do I avoid next year's rise?
- Check your contract. Search the terms for "price changes" or "annual increase".
- Know your end date. Once your minimum term ends, you're free to move. Diary it.
- Keep your number. Text PAC to 65075 and give the code to your new provider. The switch has to happen within one working day, and you can't be charged for notice running past the switch date.
- Choose a plan with no built-in rise. A 30-day rolling plan means you're never locked into next April.
How is Kindly different?
- No annual price rises. There's no yearly rise built into any Kindly plan, and existing customers keep their price while they stay on their plan.
- 30-day rolling, no lock-in. Stay because you want to, not because you have to.
- One price for everyone. New customers don't get a better deal than loyal ones.
- £1 a month from every personal SIM goes to good causes. It comes out of the price, never added on top.
Personal plans are £11.95 for 10GB, £15.95 for 20GB and £18.95 for Unlimited, a month, VAT included. Same price in April as in March.
Find a plan that stays put on our personal plans page. Or, if you'd like to see what you're paying now, pop your latest bill into Bill Check and we'll show you what Kindly would cost.
FAQ
Is the April price rise legal?
Yes, if it was set out in your contract. For contracts signed since 17 January 2025, Ofcom requires it to be shown in pounds and pence before you sign.
Do SIM-only plans go up in April too?
Usually, yes. Most of the big networks' SIM-only contracts include a yearly rise, typically £1.80 to £2.50 a month in 2026.
Will Kindly put my price up every April?
No. There are no annual price rises on Kindly plans, and every plan is 30-day rolling.
Can I keep my number if I switch?
Yes. Text PAC to 65075, give the code to your new provider, and the switch happens within one working day.
