Your Mobile Bill Is Rising – But Here’s How Some Are Dodging the Hike

• O2, EE, Three and Vodafone increasing mobile prices from 1st April
• Sky, Giffgaff, and SMARTY won’t raise prices this spring
• Most rises linked to inflation (CPI or RPI + %), even mid-contract
• Some SIM-only deals from £7/month with no future hikes
• Tips on switching and avoiding April’s painful price surge

April has long been the month when our wallets take a hit – council tax, broadband, and energy bills all seem to shoot up at once. And now, mobile phone contracts are being added to the list of cost-of-living culprits.

From 1st April, millions of customers on O2, EE, Three and Vodafone will see their monthly mobile bills increase, as providers pass on the cost of inflation and rising business expenses.

Phoebe Barton reported in the Mirror that although many providers are hiking prices – often using the Consumer Price Index (CPI) or Retail Price Index (RPI) plus a few extra percent – a few are bucking the trend.

Sky Mobile, for example, has frozen its prices. While Sky contracts can be longer than average, they won’t go up mid-way. It’s even offering new deals like the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra 5G (256GB) for £42/month over three years, with no upfront cost. Unlimited data can be added for another £20/month.

Giffgaff is another standout. It locks in prices for 18 months, meaning no nasty mid-contract surprises. Its unlimited data plan is £25/month, while lighter users can grab 6GB of data for just £8/month.

SMARTY, a lesser-known budget mobile provider, is also keeping prices fixed this April. Its unlimited data SIM-only plan costs £20/month, or get 32GB for £7/month – a bargain for budgeters.

Unfortunately, existing customers on older contracts might still face a rise, depending on when they signed up. And it doesn’t just affect phone contracts – SIM-only plans can be hit too.

Tom’s Tip: If you’re out of contract or nearing the end, don’t auto-renew. Shop around for a fixed-price deal, or even consider paying upfront for your phone to avoid hikes entirely.

"These price hikes always come at the worst time – but the good news is, you’re not locked in. Switching to a fixed-price SIM-only deal could save you £100s a year." Tom Church, Co-Founder of LatestDeals.co.uk, said.