O2 Price Increase April 2026

acstinson

Hi all,

I'm 11 months into a 24m sim only contract with o2. I would like to get a new handset as I don't think my current one will stretch for another 13months, so I'm thinking I might cancel my current contract and get a handset&airtime contract instead. Can I do this and not have to pay the outstanding balance? I've seen a few options, still with o2, but from third party websites. Anybody know if this is doable? Rang O2 CS but they were just trying to get me to go with them instead, for a dearer deal obvs.

Thanks all

flaneurs_lobster

If you've had the email giving details of the price increase then yes you can cancel your contract without penalty.

What you probably want to do is ask for a PAC so that you can move your number to a new contract but this CAN'T be done to a new O2 contract, whether with O2 direct or from a third party.

Couple of suggestions if you want to stay on O2's network:

You could look at the current UPGRADE deals at O2 just in case there's something there that would suit. Not sure about O2's rules are about how far into a contract you have to be to upgrade so you'd have to check. You'd have to live with whatever airtime deal you can get (hopefully no worse than your current one) and a price increase next April. 

Look at deals with an O2 MVNO, the best known are Giffgaff, Tesco Mobile and Sky Mobile.

Ms_Chocaholic

What's wrong with your current phone; I'm using a phone that's 3 years old and still running fine, my OH is older than that and still working okay. Just it might save you some ££ if you can keep your current phone if it's working well.

dnpark38

Martin Lewis was on about this last night on his ITV 1 program, I suggest you watch on ITVX, he stressed you have to act quick.

Theatregoer2

LOYALTY PENALTY AT O2: I'm out of contract (on sim only) and also discovered that I could get a much cheaper tariff online. I rang O2 to discuss this. After 20 minutes on hold they answered but just tried to upsell me onto even more expensive options (new handset, add-ons, extra GB despite me not using the data I already have). The agent was pleasant but refused to offer me anything cheaper than I now have. And I can't get a PAC code for an O2 to O2 transfer. They suggested I cancel and then open a new account, calling them after 30 days to request my existing number back. This sounds like a lot of faff, more effort than transferring to a new provider, and also a bit risky in case I lose my number.
Goodbye O2. I've moved to Lebara.

dnpark38

Just ordered a Lebara Sim myself today.
I'm with 02 via Tesco who I tried to talk to their Customer Services  today about the non arrival of my promised 4g SIM card.
Because I hadn't responded to the transferring  of my Pay as you go tariff I soon realised they had cut me off, as I could not receive the Security Code they just sent me for them to talk to me.
They therefore refused to speak to me.
What a shower 02 are.
Now I'm wondering will I be able to get my long standing number over to Lebara.
Just looks as if they want to loose customers.

JSmithy45AD

dnpark38 said:

Just ordered a Lebara Sim myself today.
I'm with 02 via Tesco who I tried to talk to their Customer Services  today about the non arrival of my promised 4g SIM card.
Because I hadn't responded to the transferring  of my Pay as you go tariff I soon realised they had cut me off, as I could not receive the Security Code they just sent me for them to talk to me.
They therefore refused to speak to me.
What a shower 02 are.
Now I'm wondering will I be able to get my long standing number over to Lebara.
Just looks as if they want to loose customers.

Perhaps I'm misunderstanding but Tesco mobile are just a MVNO who happen to be carried on the O2 network, or do you mean you moved (or have tried) to move to O2 from Tesco mobile?

dnpark38

I have bought a long time ago a Tesco Pay as you go SIM and they sub contact to the O2 network. I have over a long time topped up with £10 per year.
I guess from other posts on O2 customers O2 are messing them about, so all the messing Tesco Pay as you go are having from tesco is originating from O2.

ymcko200

A tip when leaving O2 Pay Monthly:

Don't cancel the direct debit mandate straightaway after leaving, there may still be a final bill due and then there will probably also be a refund after that for any part of the month after leaving.

If you have cancelled the direct debit they'll send emails & texts demanding the money due, and you won't be able to do anything via the My O2 app or on the web.

You'll need to call them on 0800 588 4217 and persevere until you get through to a human agent - the texted verification codes might not be recognised on the call. The agent should verify your account via your old number and send a verification code to your email.

Rather than give them bank details, which disappear after cancelling the DD, you might prefer to request a cheque in the post.

clairesdad

Another tip.....check your monthly bill.  I checked mine and found i had been charged for exercising my right to leave due to the price increase.  A early termination of contract fee of £79.71 had been added to my bill !!!

I eventually got through to a human at O2 and explained.  A quick check by the human and a manager authorised a credit to the incorrect bill.   A bit stressful nevertheless.

Skippy13

My 30 days is up on Friday.  Does that mean I'll be too late to leave O2 penalty free as there's no way I'll be able to get a sim and switch by then?  I know it's my own fault and I should have sorted something earlier!