Contract ending? A checklist for the month before

Short answer: in the month before your broadband contract ends, find out what you will pay afterwards, check what you actually need, then either agree a new deal with your current provider or switch. Doing nothing usually means paying more for the same service.

When a minimum term ends, your broadband keeps working. What changes is the price. This checklist walks you through the last few weeks, step by step.

Why the end date matters

Ofcom, the UK communications regulator, says 28% of broadband customers are out of contract. On average, people who are in contract pay between £7 and £9 a month less than people who are out of contract (source).

That gap adds up to roughly £84 to £108 a year. For homes with broadband, landline and pay TV from one provider, Ofcom says out-of-contract customers could save over £100 a year by switching (source).

Your end-of-contract notice

You should not have to dig out paperwork to find your end date. Under Ofcom’s rules, your provider must contact you between 10 and 40 days before your contract ends, by text, email or letter (source).

That message must tell you:

• when your contract ends
• what you pay now, and what you will pay once the contract is up
• any notice period for leaving
• the provider’s best deals, including prices offered to new customers

If you are already out of contract, your provider must remind you of that, and tell you about its best deals once a year (source).

Tip: the notice can easily get lost in an inbox. Search your email for your provider’s name and “contract”, or log in to your online account, where the end date is usually shown.

The checklist

Work through these in order. Most people can do the whole list in an evening.

1. Find your end date and your “after” price

Use the notice above or your online account. Write down two numbers: what you pay now, and what you will pay from the end date. The second number is the one to beat.

2. Look at what you actually use

This is the moment to make sure you are not paying for things you do not need.

• Speed. Many homes pay for far more than they use. Our guide to what broadband speed you actually need helps you work out a sensible number.
• Landline. Ofcom says broadband on its own typically costs about £7 a month less than broadband with a landline (source). If you rarely make home phone calls, ask for a broadband-only price.
• Extras. Check for add-ons such as TV packs, call bundles or security software you no longer use.

3. Check what is available at your address

New networks keep arriving, especially full fibre, which runs fibre-optic cable all the way to your home. Ofcom’s free broadband and mobile checker shows which types of broadband reach your postcode. Ofcom also notes that full fibre can cost the same as, or less than, older copper or part-fibre broadband (source). Our guide to full fibre vs “fibre” broadband explains the difference.

4. Check whether you qualify for a social tariff

If you or someone in your household claims Universal Credit, you can get a social tariff: a cheaper broadband package for people on certain benefits. Many providers also accept Pension Credit and some other benefits. Ofcom says prices range from £10 to £24 a month (source). See our social tariffs guide for who qualifies.

5. Compare deals

Compare prices for your address, not national adverts. Ofcom suggests using comparison sites that it has accredited (source).

When you compare, look at:

Check	Why it matters
Monthly price after any planned rise	New contracts must show price rises in pounds and pence
Contract length	A longer contract can lock in a price, but ties you in
Upfront and set-up fees	These can cancel out a low monthly price
Upload speed	Matters for video calls and working from home
Router included	Check whether one comes with the deal, or if you need your own

Since 17 January 2025, any price rise built into a new contract must be shown in pounds and pence at the point of sale, along with when it will happen (source). Our price rises guide explains what this means for you.

6. Ask your current provider for a better price

Once you have a price to beat, contact your current provider. Ofcom says asking for a new deal is the simplest way to lower your bill if you are out of contract (source).

Keep it simple: tell them your contract is ending, quote the best price you found elsewhere, and ask what they can offer. If they match or beat it, and the speed suits you, staying put saves you any hassle. Get the offer in writing before you agree.

7. Or switch

If the best deal is elsewhere, switching is easier than it used to be. Under One Touch Switch, you only need to contact your new provider. They handle the move (source).

Two things are worth knowing:

• You do not have to pay notice-period charges beyond the switch date. You will not pay for the old service once the new one starts.
• Providers must compensate you if the switch goes wrong, including if you are left without a service for more than one working day (source).

Our step-by-step guide to switching with One Touch Switch covers the process in full.

8. Check anything plugged into your phone line

If you have a home phone, a burglar alarm or a telecare device, such as a personal alarm pendant, ask your new provider how it will work after the switch. Our landline switch-off guide explains what to check.

What if you do nothing?

Your service carries on as normal. You will simply move to the out-of-contract price your provider told you about, and you can still re-contract or switch later, giving any notice period your provider set out. It is never too late to act, but each month you wait is a month at the higher price.

A rough timeline

When	What to do
40 to 10 days before the end date	Look out for your end-of-contract notice
Around 4 weeks before	Note your “after” price and review what you use
Around 3 weeks before	Check availability and compare deals
Around 2 weeks before	Ask your provider to match, or sign up elsewhere
On the end date	Check your first new bill matches what you agreed

Takeaway: put a reminder in your diary for a month before your contract ends. Note the price you will pay afterwards, find a better one for your address, and give your current provider one chance to match it before you switch.