Millions of Sky Mobile customers are facing a £1.50 monthly price rise from 14 February 2026, and MoneySavingExpert founder Martin Lewis warns that many people may miss their chance to leave penalty-free. Speaking to MSE, Lewis explained: “You have a right to leave within 30 days of notification. Yet it’s 30 days of you receiving notification, not of the price going up.” That distinction is crucial — if you wait until the price hits your bill, it’s often too late to switch providers or negotiate.
This isn’t just a small increase — it affects mid-contract and out-of-contract users alike, and could cost the average customer £18 more per year. For families, students, or anyone budgeting carefully, missing this 30-day window can feel stressful. But the good news is clear: act now, and you could switch providers, negotiate a better deal, or even leave Sky Mobile entirely without paying a penalty.
The Real Impact of Sky Mobile’s Price Hike on UK Users
From February 2026, the majority of Sky Mobile plans will increase by £1.50 per month, with smaller rises for around 10% of users: 8% will see £1 more, and 1.9% will pay an extra £3 per month. While the increases may seem modest, over time they add up, especially for budget-conscious households or students paying for multiple lines.
Sky’s price hike follows Ofcom rules, which require providers to notify users in advance and offer a 30-day penalty-free exit. This means every customer has the legal right to leave their contract if they don’t want to pay the extra cost — even if they still have months or years left.
Martin Lewis emphasises: “Everyone who gets a notification should then be checking ‘can I get a cheaper deal?’ and is it worth leaving? If it is, get on with it, and even if you’ve a year left on your contract, you’ve a month to ditch and switch with no penalty, no consequences.”
This is why timely action matters. Sky’s notification emails started going out from 6 January 2026, meaning customers only have until early February to act if they want to exercise their legal right to leave without fees.
How to Save: Switch, Haggle, or Stay Smart
If you’ve received a price hike notification, you have three main options:
1. Leave Sky Mobile and find the cheapest SIM deal
You can port your number using a PAC code (text PAC to 65075) and move to a cheaper provider. Some current top deals include:
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iD Mobile: 50GB for £3.80 per month (12 months) on Three’s network
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Lebara: 10GB for £3.48 per month, monthly rolling contract, Vodafone network
Switching to these low-cost SIMs can save dozens of pounds per year, while still keeping your data and coverage needs met. For UK consumers looking for a budget-friendly plan, these deals are among the best SIM-only options in 2026.
2. Switch but stay on the same network (O2 signal)
Sky customers who rely on O2 coverage can move to O2 piggyback providers like Giffgaff or Tesco Mobile. Current deals:
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O2: 80GB for £9.09 per month, 12 months
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Tesco Mobile: 12GB for £9.50 per month, 12 months
Before switching, check features like Wi-Fi calling, data rollover, and speed limits — prices aren’t the only factor affecting your monthly experience. Staying on the same network also ensures reliability if your area has weaker coverage from other providers.
3. Haggle with Sky Mobile
If you prefer to stay with Sky, negotiating is surprisingly effective. A MoneySavingExpert poll found 72% of customers who asked for a better deal were successful. Martin Lewis advises: “Call up your network politely, explain the price hike, and ask for a lower tariff.”
If you’re still not happy after haggling, you can always exercise your penalty-free exit, meaning there’s no downside to asking for a better deal first. For a detailed guide on how to haggle your mobile contract successfully, check out MoneySavingExpert’s mobile haggling guide.
Bonus tip: This scenario mirrors other hypergrowth consumer businesses, like Fazit, where founders had to navigate unexpected demand surges and customer expectations. For a deep dive, see The Million-Dollar Exit From Corporate Work Is Reshaping How Professionals Measure Success.
Why This Sky Increase Won’t Spark the O2 Outrage
You may recall O2’s huge hike last year, which angered 15 million customers. Sky’s approach is different: they notified customers in advance, complying with Ofcom rules, rather than surprising them with a hidden increase.
Still, Martin Lewis suggests Ofcom should allow two 30-day exit windows: one when customers are first notified and one when the increase hits the bill, to prevent consumers from losing their legal right to leave.
How to Know if You’re Affected
You won’t be impacted if:
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You joined, upgraded, or changed your plan on or after 6 November 2025
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You’re on a social tariff, frozen for the fourth consecutive year
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You’re on certain undisclosed data tariffs
For everyone else, acting immediately is crucial — those 30 days start from the day you get the notification, not the date the price rises.
The Bottom Line: Don’t Miss Your Penalty-Free Exit
Even a £1.50 per month increase can matter over time. Families, students, and anyone budgeting carefully could see their annual bill rise by £18 or more.
Thanks to Ofcom rules and consumer rights, there’s a clear way to save:
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Switch to a cheaper SIM provider
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Negotiate your current plan with Sky
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Leave Sky Mobile entirely, penalty-free
The window is short. Check your email, compare SIM deals, and act now. Waiting until February 14 risks losing your legal, penalty-free exit — and no one wants to pay more for the same data.
Everything You Need to Know About Sky Mobile’s Price Hike
Can I leave Sky Mobile without paying a fee if my plan is mid-contract?
Yes. You have 30 days from receiving your price increase notification to exit penalty-free, even if you’re mid-contract.
What is the cheapest SIM deal if I leave Sky Mobile?
Current UK options include iD Mobile 50GB for £3.80/month or Lebara 10GB for £3.48/month. Check coverage in your area before switching.
Can I stay with Sky and still save money?
Yes. 72% of customers who haggled successfully got a lower monthly rate. If unsuccessful, you can still leave within 30 days.
Does this situation resemble other rapid-growth companies?
Yes. Consumer-focused businesses, like Fazit, have faced unexpected surges and had to make strategic decisions quickly. See The Million-Dollar Exit From Corporate Work Is Reshaping How Professionals Measure Success for more insights.
