Mobiles

Broadband, mobile and pay TV firms will no longer be able to hit customers with inflation-linked price hikes mid-contract from January 2025, regulator Ofcom has confirmed. But, as MoneySavingExpert.com (MSE) founder Martin Lewis has warned, the new rules will still allow for above-inflation price rises.

Most Now Broadband customers will see their bills increase by £36 a year (£3 a month) from Friday 5 July, as the provider has become the latest to announce price hikes for 2024. Other major broadband, mobile and pay TV providers have already implemented their price rises for this year. See our table below on what's happening and who's affected.

"Terrible" inflation-busting mobile and broadband price hikes are to be probed by the Chancellor after Martin Lewis grilled him on the issue. In an interview with the MoneySavingExpert.com founder, Jeremy Hunt said he would write to the competition and markets watchdog and "get to the bottom of it".

Broadband, mobile and pay TV firms will no longer be able to hit customers with inflation-linked price hikes mid-contract, under proposals put forward by the telecoms regulator. But while MoneySavingExpert.com (MSE) founder Martin Lewis has welcomed the move, he has also called on Ofcom to ensure any rises are never above inflation.

Broadband and mobile firms should be banned from hitting their customers with unpredictable mid-contract price hikes, consumer group Which? and charity Citizens Advice have said. The organisations have urged the telecoms regulator to stop these "unjust hikes" to ensure people are given certainty about how much their contract will cost when they sign up. 

Tesco Mobile is to start charging new and recently joining customers to use their mobiles in Europe from next year. The change means you'll have to pay to use your mobile data in 48 European countries and destinations – but you'll still be able to use your included calls and texts at no extra cost.

If you've got an old mobile handset you may soon lose internet access. Vodafone has become the first major mobile network to switch off 3G in parts of the country with other networks set to follow. Here's how to check if your handset is impacted and what you need to do about it.  

EE is to start charging all pay-as-you-go customers to use their mobiles in Europe from today. The change means you'll have to pay to use your mobile data, make voice calls and send texts in 47 European countries and destinations that were previously included in EE's "Roam Like Home" allowance.

Plusnet Mobile is closing down in the "coming months", which means all of its customers need to switch provider if they want to keep using their handsets – particularly if they want the same phone number.

Millions of smartphones and tablets in the UK will ring out and vibrate for up to 10 seconds as part of an emergency alert test at 3pm on Sunday 23 April. Here's what you need to know.