Millions of O2 customers have just 24 hours left to avoid an annual £30 increase in their phone bills. The deadline to cancel contracts without penalty is Saturday, November 22, as O2 plans a price hike that will take effect in April 2026.
The price rise amounts to £2.50 more per month, up from the existing £1.80. This change will occur midway through customer contracts, impacting many users suddenly with higher monthly charges. Customers who wish to avoid this increase must act before the November 22 deadline to cancel or switch plans without penalty.
An O2 spokesperson explained in October: “With demand for mobile data at an all-time high, we’re introducing a 70p per month increase to annual price rises for O2 customers, effective each April. An annual rise of £2.50 a month – around 8p a day – continues to represent excellent value for services that customers are using more than ever before.”
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MoneySavingExpert founder Martin Lewis criticized the move, calling it a “mockery” of Ofcom’s new ‘pounds and pence’ consumer protection rules introduced earlier this year. The regulation requires companies to inform customers upfront in clear terms about any potential mid-contract price hikes. Lewis said O2 is “dancing away” from this commitment by increasing prices more than originally promised, forcing many customers to either accept the unexpected rise or leave without penalty.
Several customers have shared their experiences after acting on the warning. One switched to Lebara with a 30-day contract, saving £5 monthly (£60 annually). Another, after nearly 30 years with O2, left for a cheaper deal with Sky, saving £30 per month and receiving three months of Disney+ for free. A third negotiated with O2, leveraging competitor offers for better data deals and saving over £200 a year.
These testimonials highlight the importance for O2 customers to review their contracts carefully and consider switching plans or providers before the deadline, to avoid unwelcome price increases and secure better value for their money.