Sky Mobile customers are in for a sting: If you’re out of contract, you’ll soon be forking out an extra £18 a year thanks to an imminent price hike.
But, you're not alone – other mobile networks are expected to jump on the bandwagon from next month, with prices set to rise all around.
Still, there is a silver lining for those caught up in Sky's latest shake-up.
See also: The best iPhone deals on new and refurbished handsets
Read on to discover exactly how much more you'll be paying, how to check if you're affected, and the steps you can take to dodge the extra charges – and maybe even pocket some savings while you're at it.
When will the price hike take effect?
It’s set to be a gloomy Valentine’s Day for some. From February 14, out-of-contract Sky customers will see their monthly bills rise by £1.50 a month, which adds up to an extra £18 a year.
The changes will affect both pay-monthly and Sim-only customers.
Rates for international calls and text messages are also going up
More broadly, Sky Mobile is also increasing the cost of calls to the EU and EEA by 4p to 25p per minute, while calls to the rest of the world will rise by £1 to £3.50 per minute.
Plus, the cost of sending an international text message outside Europe will rise by 20p to 95p.
How to find out if you’re impacted?
Not sure about the status of your contract? Just text ‘INFO’ followed by your date of birth (DDMMYY) to 85075. You’ll get an instant reply with the details, including any exit fees if you decide to jump ship.
Alternatively, you can ring up Sky directly on 0333 759 1740 and find out exactly where you stand.
A Sky Mobile spokesman said: “We always aim to provide an outstanding service alongside some of the best-value plans on the market.
“To ensure we can continue to invest in our services and deliver a great experience, the majority of our out-of-contract customers will see their monthly bill increase by £1.50 in February.”
What can you do about it?
Millions of mobile customers end up paying steeper prices after their contracts end.
In a nutshell, out-of-contract users in the UK often pay more than those on SIM-only or contract plans. Why? In some cases, their monthly payments keep ticking along at the same rate as when they were covering the cost of both the phone and airtime – yet the handset is already paid off.
Others are quietly switched to pricier tariffs without ever signing up for them.
On the flip side, you're free to leave without having to pay any fees or penalties – and you can probably find a better deal elsewhere.
For instance, you can pick up a SIM-only plan, which covers just airtime (calls, texts, and data) for less than £3 a month with limited data, with prices rising for additional data.
Whereas contract plans bundle the handset and airtime for up to 24 months or more, there is nothing stopping you from opting for a SIM-only deal or haggling for a better deal when your contract ends.
Just make sure to shop around for the best prices on comparison sites like Uswitch, MoneySuperMarket or Money Saving Expert before taking the plunge. Often, you’ll find these sites offer exclusive deals that mobile network providers don’t – and you can customise your plan to suit you, filtering based on duration, price and data.
New mobile contract rules in the UK
Earlier this year, Ofcom enforced a new rule that banned UK phone, mobile, pay TV, and broadband providers from hiking prices mid-contract based on inflation or percentage increases.
The move aims to make pricing clearer for new customers, though some may still end up paying more than under the old system.
Before this change, many providers jacked up prices each year by four per cent plus inflation, which became a real issue when inflation spiked in 2023. This often left consumers locked into contracts with rising costs and expensive exit penalties.
Now, with inflation easing, Ofcom’s new approach requires providers to clearly outline any future price increases at the start of a contract, including the exact amounts and timing of adjustments. While this ensures clearer pricing for new customers, it doesn’t automatically reduce costs for existing ones – unless they choose to switch providers or renegotiate their contracts.
Most other mobile networks implement their mid-contract price increases around April 1, making Sky Mobile an exception.
