Household Bills & Lifestyle2 min check

Broadband Cost Checker

Compare the headline price of a broadband deal with the actual amount you'll pay over the contract — including setup, mid-contract price rises and any cashback.

Short answer

True cost = (months at intro price + months at standard price) + setup − cashback. Most UK providers raise prices by CPI + 3.9% mid-contract — Ofcom now requires this be shown in £, but many older deals still rise.

Step 1 of 20%

How it works

We sum monthly charges across the full contract, applying the intro then standard price, plus any annual April rise. Setup, router and cashback adjust the total.

Worked example

£27/m for 24 months, £0 setup, no intro, +8% in April → ~£656 total (£27.33/m effective). With £100 cashback: £556 total.

Who should use this

•Anyone comparing broadband deals
•Households at end-of-contract
•People deciding between full-fibre and copper

Common mistakes

×Comparing only headline monthly price
×Ignoring CPI + 3.9% rise (often £30+ extra/year)
×Missing setup fees
×Renewing automatically — out-of-contract prices can be 50%+ higher

Frequently asked questions

Why does broadband go up mid-contract?▾

Most providers' contracts allow annual rises in April, historically CPI + 3.9%. From April 2025, Ofcom requires this to be shown in pounds upfront.

What speed do I need?▾

Standard household: 50–100 Mbps. Heavy gaming/streaming/home working: 200–500 Mbps. 4K + multiple users: 500 Mbps+.

Can I leave mid-contract?▾

Usually yes, but you'll pay the remaining months. Exception: if the provider raises prices above what was disclosed, you can leave penalty-free.

Related calculators

Energy Bill Calculator →Household Budget →Water Bill Calculator →