Consumer Rights & Ofcom Rules 2026

The pounds-and-pence rule (January 2025)

From 17 January 2025, Ofcom requires all UK mobile networks to disclose planned annual mid-contract price rises upfront in exact pounds and pence — not as a vague CPI+3.9% percentage. You must know the precise monthly amount before signing. If a network does not comply, you may have grounds to exit penalty-free.

Disclosed 2026 annual rises by network

O2: Fixed £2.50/month, each April
Three: Fixed £1.80–£1.90/month, each April — 30-day rolling plans exempt
EE: Fixed £2.50/month SIM, £4/month handset, from March 2026
Vodafone: Fixed £2.50/month, each April
Tesco Mobile (Clubcard): No rise — frozen for contract duration
Sky Mobile: RPI-linked — 30-day notice, penalty-free exit right
Lebara: No annual rises pledged
iD Mobile: No CPI/RPI rises on SIM Only plans

Exit rights on price rises

Sky Mobile's RPI-linked rise: you have a right to exit within 30 days of receiving the rise notice, without early termination charges. If any network applies a rise not clearly disclosed at sign-up, you may also have grounds to exit penalty-free — contact the network in writing and escalate to Ofcom or an ADR scheme if needed.

PAC and STAC rights

Any UK network must provide a PAC (text PAC to 65075) or STAC (text STAC to 75075) within 60 seconds — free. This is an Ofcom legal requirement that cannot be refused, delayed or charged for.

Phone unlocking rights

All phones sold in the UK since December 2021 must be supplied unlocked. Older devices locked to previous networks must be unlocked free of charge on request.

14-day cooling-off period

You have the right to cancel any new mobile contract within 14 days of signing under the Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013. This applies to online and phone sign-ups. Early termination of data used during the cooling-off period may be charged.

kogywall (kogywall.online) is a fully independent information and guidance website. We hold no affiliation, partnership, endorsement, or commercial relationship with O2, Three, EE, Vodafone, Tesco Mobile, Sky Mobile, Lebara, iD Mobile, or any of their parent companies including Virgin Media O2, VodafoneThree, BT Group, Sky UK (Comcast), Tesco plc, Currys plc, or Lebara Group. We do not sell SIM cards, mobile contracts, or devices. We do not access customer accounts, process payments, manage billing, or provide official technical support of any kind. All plan details, pricing and network features change frequently — always verify current information directly with the relevant network before making any decision. Network names, logos and trademarks are the property of their respective owners and are referenced here solely for the purpose of independent consumer information. kogywall operates under UK consumer information guidelines as an independent third-party guidance service only.