Sky Mobile users have been dealt a bombshell as the firm gears up to hit thousands with a mid-contract price hike.
Now many of these customers have just one week left to axe the deal and escape penalty-free.
For the first time in more than seven years, Sky has confirmed it will increase the monthly bills of both mid-contract and out-of-contract customers from February 14.
The vast majority are facing a £1.50 rise per month. Around 8% of tariffs will go up by £1, and roughly 2% will see a £3 jump.
That means customers on budget SIM-only deals could see their bill surge by up to 25% compared with what they signed up for – a sharp sting for households already struggling with rising costs of living.
Ernest Doku, mobiles expert at Uswitch.com, warned the window to dodge the hike is now closing fast.
“While the new rates don’t hit bills until February 14th, the right to walk away penalty-free expires just 30 days after you were notified, which, for many, is now just a week away,” he said.
“This is a ‘use it or lose it’ right – and the clock is ticking.”
Sky doesn’t publish future price rises in pounds and pence when customers sign up. Instead, it reserves the right to adjust prices mid-contract and must allow customers to cancel penalty-free within 30 days of notification – the loophole many experts now urge you to exploit.
That’s in contrast to many rivals, who are now required by Ofcom to spell out any future rises when you sign the contract – but only for new deals. Existing customers like Sky’s are left with this narrow escape hatch.
MoneySavingExpert founder Martin Lewis has been sounding the alarm on mid-contract hikes across the mobile sector.
He has flagged the overall trend on social media, highlighting that customers have 30 days from notification to ditch the contract without fees if they’re unhappy with the new price.
His broader concern is that the rules do not protect customers from above-inflation rises mid-contract.
Millions affected – but millions could save
Industry data show that annual price rises – both mid-contract and on renewal – have become widespread across UK telecoms this year as companies battle rising costs and inflation.
Most providers now hike bills each spring, with some using fixed rises rather than inflation-linked formulas.
That means many customers will be paying more from April anyway – but for Sky Mobile users, the key is whether you act within the next week to avoid being stuck on a more expensive contract.
Check your email for your Sky Mobile price change notification – that starts the 30-day clock.
Decide whether to leave before the notice period expires – and switch to a cheaper SIM-only deal if possible.
Compare alternatives – many rivals now offer fixed-price contracts with no mid-contract bumps.