If you’re on O2, get ready to pay more. From April 2026, the airtime part of your bill is going up by £2.50 a month. When most people signed their contracts, they were told it would only rise by £1.80.
That means your bill will now go up by £2.50 a month, or £30 a year in total, which is around £8 more than O2 originally said it would be. It’s a 40% bigger increase than promised, and for those already watching every penny, that’s a big difference.
Almost everyone on O2 will see the change, including mobile and SIM-only customers. The only group not affected are those on the Essential Plan, which is a cheaper option for people getting certain benefits.
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If you’ve got a separate plan to pay off your phone, that bit stays the same. The increase only affects what O2 calls your airtime plan, which covers your calls, texts, and data.
Why people are so annoyed
Earlier this year, new rules came in that were meant to stop surprises like this. Mobile companies now have to be clear about how much your bill will go up each year, in pounds and pence.
O2 told customers one thing when they signed up, but now they’re changing it. That’s why so many people are frustrated.
To make it simple:
- If you pay £10 a month, your bill will go up by 25%.
- If you pay £34 a month, it’s still going up by over 7%, which is much more than inflation.
It might not sound much in isolation, but when you add up all the rising costs of living, it’s one more hit to the wallet.
Read next: Black Friday mobile deals: over 10 million Brits plan to switch and cut their bills
You can leave without paying a fee
If you joined O2 before 23 October 2025, your contract was based on a smaller price rise. This new increase means O2 has changed the terms of your agreement.
That gives you the right to cancel your contract without paying a penalty. You’ve got 30 days from the day you’re told about the change to do this.
If you’ve still got a device plan, you’ll need to pay off the remaining balance for your phone, but you won’t be charged anything extra for leaving your airtime plan early.
If you’re thinking about leaving, it’s easier than you might think. Here’s our quick guide on how to switch mobile networks safely without losing your number.
How to save money if you leave O2
If you decide you’ve had enough, you’ve got options.
- Move to a cheaper network that uses O2’s signal – try Giffgaff, Tesco Mobile, or Sky Mobile. They use the same signal, so your coverage won’t change, but your monthly bill probably will.
- If you’re open to switching to a different network altogether, Smarty often has some of the cheapest SIM-only deals in the UK and runs on the Three network.
- Keep your number – just text PAC to 65075. It’s free, and you’ll get a code to give to your new network.
- Try haggling – call O2 and say you’re thinking of leaving because of the price rise. They might offer you a better deal to stay.
- Compare what’s out there – spend ten minutes looking at different networks and see how your current plan stacks up. Even saving £5 a month means £60 a year back in your pocket.
Other O2 changes to know about
From January 2026, O2 is also changing its Switch Up scheme. Instead of being able to swap your device every 90 days, it’ll now be every 11 months. It’s a smaller change but it means less flexibility for people who like to upgrade often.
The bottom line
O2’s latest move has left a lot of people frustrated. When you sign up for something, you expect to know what you’re agreeing to.
If you’re unhappy, don’t just let it slide. Check your plan, look at what you’re paying, and see if you can find a better deal. There’s a good chance you can get the same service for less somewhere else.
A few minutes of effort now could save you a fair bit next year.
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