In a recent survey conducted on behalf of USwitch, more than 2,000 UK adults were asked about broadband price rises. Nearly a quarter (24%) said they found the increases unmanageable.
Hardly surprising while household budgets are already stretched.
Even more telling? One in five respondents said they’re actively looking for a reason to leave their provider because of these rises.
The “small” £4 increase that isn’t so small
Most of the well-known culprits (EE, BT, Virgin Media) now increase their prices by around £4 per month, every year, during the contract.
That might not sound like much – but over a 24-month contract, it quickly adds up.
So the £29.99 deal you signed up for? It quietly becomes £37.99 before you’ve reached the end of your contract term.
And if you want to leave early, you’ll likely pay exit fees to do so. Legal? Yes. Fair? We’ll let you decide.
How and why prices are rising
In 2025, Ofcom required providers to move away from inflation-linked price rises in favour of better clarity. Instead of lowering costs, many providers switched to flat-rate rises – leaving customers significantly worse off.
Even worse, these flat rate rises can hit those on lower cost packages the hardest. When everyone faces the same £4 rise, those who chose a more affordable option feel the impact proportionally more.
The industry shift continues
Sky is the latest major provider to introduce flat-rate annual increases, announcing a £3 per month rise this year.
For some Sky customers, there may be a chance to escape penalty-free. Read more here.
Here’s the difference with Grain
There is good news. At Grain, we never increase your price during your contract.
The price you agree when you sign up stays the same for the entire fixed term. No annual “adjustments”. No flat-rate surprises. No inflation gymnastics.
Just a fixed price. Fixed properly. And with our Price Match Guarantee, you’re not just locking in your price – you’re locking in the best deal on your street.
How to beat the rises
With One Touch Switch, changing provider has never been easier.
- Check your postcode to see if we’re available
- Choose your package and personalise it to your online needs
- Opt-in to automatic switching at checkout
- We’ll lock in your fixed-price offer and switch you over on the date that suits you
Then relax knowing your bills will be fixed throughout the contract.
Our customers consistently rate us highly for transparency and value for money. Check out our Trustpilot reviews to see for yourself.
How we stack up against other providers
