O2 payments are going up once more – right here’s what’s altering and easy methods to save your self some money

If you happen to’re on O2, get able to pay extra. From April 2026, the airtime a part of your invoice goes up by £2.50 a month. When most individuals signed their contracts, they had been instructed it will solely rise by £1.80.

Meaning your invoice will now go up by £2.50 a month, or £30 a yr in complete, which is round £8 greater than O2 initially mentioned it will be. It’s a 40% greater enhance than promised, and for these already watching each penny, that’s an enormous distinction.

Nearly everybody on O2 will see the change, together with cellular and SIM-only clients. The one group not affected are these on the Important Plan, which is a less expensive possibility for folks getting sure advantages.

If you happen to’ve bought a separate plan to repay your telephone, that bit stays the identical. The rise solely impacts what O2 calls your airtime plan, which covers your calls, texts, and information.

Why persons are so irritated

Earlier this yr, new guidelines got here in that had been meant to cease surprises like this. Cell corporations now should be clear about how a lot your invoice will go up every year, in kilos and pence.

O2 instructed clients one factor after they signed up, however now they’re altering it. That’s why so many individuals are annoyed.

To make it easy:

• If you happen to pay £10 a month, your invoice will go up by 25%.
• If you happen to pay £34 a month, it’s nonetheless going up by over 7%, which is far more than inflation.

It may not sound a lot in isolation, however while you add up all of the rising prices of residing, it’s another hit to the pockets.

You possibly can depart with out paying a payment

If you happen to joined O2 earlier than 23 October 2025, your contract was based mostly on a smaller worth rise. This new enhance means O2 has modified the phrases of your settlement.

That provides you the proper to cancel your contract with out paying a penalty. You’ve bought 30 days from the day you’re instructed concerning the change to do that.

If you happen to’ve nonetheless bought a tool plan, you’ll have to repay the remaining stability in your telephone, however you gained’t be charged something further for leaving your airtime plan early.

How to save cash when you depart O2

If you happen to determine you’ve had sufficient, you’ve bought choices.

• Transfer to a less expensive community that makes use of O2’s sign – attempt Giffgaff, Tesco Cell, or Sky Cell. They use the identical sign, so your protection gained’t change, however your month-to-month invoice in all probability will.
• If you happen to’re open to switching to a special community altogether, Smarty usually has among the most cost-effective SIM-only offers within the UK and runs on the Three community.
• Preserve your quantity – simply textual content PAC to 65075. It’s free, and also you’ll get a code to provide to your new community.
• Attempt haggling – name O2 and say you’re considering of leaving due to the worth rise. They may give you a greater deal to remain.
• Examine what’s on the market – spend ten minutes completely different networks and see how your present plan stacks up. Even saving £5 a month means £60 a yr again in your pocket.

Different O2 modifications to find out about

From January 2026, O2 can be altering its Swap Up scheme. As an alternative of having the ability to swap your system each 90 days, it’ll now be each 11 months. It’s a smaller change but it surely means much less flexibility for individuals who wish to improve usually.

The underside line

O2’s newest transfer has left lots of people annoyed. Once you join one thing, you anticipate to know what you’re agreeing to.

If you happen to’re sad, don’t simply let it slide. Test your plan, have a look at what you’re paying, and see if you could find a greater deal. There’s a superb probability you may get the identical service for much less someplace else.

A couple of minutes of effort now might prevent a good bit subsequent yr.

Ricky Willis is the unique Skint Dad. A money-making fanatic, father, and husband to Naomi. He’s all the time on the lookout for distinctive methods to earn a bit further.

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