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%

Calculation method, coverage and version

Inputs used: Monthly price (£), Months at intro price (0 if none), Standard monthly price after intro (£), Total contract length (months), Setup / activation fee (£), Router cost (£, 0 if free), Cashback or voucher value (£), Annual price rise %.
Calculation approach: The calculator applies the rules and assumptions described in “How it works” to the values you enter. Rounding can cause small differences from an official or provider calculation.
Coverage: Household Bills & Lifestyle. UK nations, tax treatment, local rules and provider criteria can differ; check the official sources shown below before acting.
Content version: No page-specific review date is currently published. Treat the result as indicative and verify current rules independently.

Not included unless explicitly requested: personal circumstances not entered, provider discretion, future rule changes, professional fees and case-specific exceptions. Read the full calculator methodology.

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.

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