O2’s £2.50 Monthly Price Hike Sparks Debate Among Customers
If you’re an O2 mobile customer, brace yourself — bills are going up again, and this time, the increase is higher than before. Starting April 2026, all O2 Pay Monthly customers will see their airtime plan rise by £2.50 per month , up from the previous annual increase of £1.80. That might not sound huge at first, but it adds up to an extra £30 per year , and it’s around a 40% bigger jump than what many were originally told when they signed their contracts.
O2 insists this change still represents what it calls “excellent value,” pointing to growing data use and heavy investment in improving its network. According to the company, demand for mobile data has reached record levels, and they’re spending about £700 million this year to strengthen and expand coverage. In a statement, an O2 spokesperson said that the new increase — about 8p a day — “continues to represent excellent value for services that customers are using more than ever before.” They also confirmed that handset repayment prices will remain frozen, meaning only the airtime portion of the bill will go up.
Also Read:- Carlsen Holds the Lead as Caruana Stages a Stunning Comeback in St. Louis
- Fulham Survive Wycombe Scare After Dramatic Shootout
So, what does that mean in real terms? Let’s say your current plan costs £30 a month for airtime, and you’re paying another £25 for your phone. Right now, your total bill is £55. After the change in April 2026, your airtime plan will rise to £32.50, making your new monthly bill £57.50 . Every O2 Pay Monthly package — whether it’s for a smartphone or a SIM-only deal — will be affected, except for customers on the Essential Plan, which is aimed at people receiving certain benefits.
The reason behind these clearer numbers comes from new Ofcom rules , introduced earlier in 2025. These regulations require mobile providers to state price increases in fixed amounts, rather than linking them to inflation as they used to. While this change was meant to make things more transparent, it hasn’t necessarily made bills cheaper.
The good news for customers? If you joined O2 before October 23, 2025 , you actually have the right to leave your contract without paying a penalty. That’s because the new hike changes the terms of your agreement. You’ll need to act within 30 days of being notified, and if you’re still paying off a phone, you’ll just need to settle the remaining balance — but you won’t be charged an early exit fee for your airtime plan.
For those thinking about leaving, it’s worth checking other networks that use O2’s signal, like Giffgaff, Tesco Mobile, or Sky Mobile — they offer similar coverage, often at lower prices. And if you’re open to switching altogether, deals from Smarty or other budget-friendly providers could save you several pounds a month.
O2’s move has sparked frustration among many who feel the rise is poorly timed, especially when the cost of living remains high. For now, customers are left to decide whether O2’s “excellent value” claim really holds up — or if it’s time to shop around for a better deal.
Read More:
0 Comments