MSE News: Sky to hike mobile prices: You've 30 days to LEAVE penalty-free – can you switch and save?

reluctantcomplainer

I had 6 sim only deals with Sky - they were all going to increase by 50% (3 from £4.80 to £7.20 and 3 from £6.00 to £9.00). They did not notify me - I only found out due to reading MSE and then checking my future bills. I tried negotiating and whilst eventually they offered to reduce the increase it was only a marginal reduction. I have moved, and am now paying the same as I was before the increase but getting a lot more data and also now have free roaming in the EU! 

Crescentcity

Hi everyone. I also rang Sky today, as I am one of those whose bill will increase by £3 a month, from £6.00 to £9.00.  I can get much better deals elsewhere for £9 a month.  I renewed my contract last September for 12 months so am in minimum contract term. I received my notification of price increase yesterday.  The gentleman I spoke to was friendly and helpful but adamant that early termination charges would apply.  I had to be very firm that they would not (thank you MSE) so he asked his supervisor.  They ended up deciding that to avoid the charges they would have to put me on a new contract to enact a cooling off period.  They have sent me a PAC code and told me it would be best to not use it until Saturday. So I guess it depends on the Agent who picks up your call and the consistency of training/ briefings that have taken place.  Will see how it goes, hope everyone who wants to move is able to find a way to. 

makara

Crescentcity said:

Hi everyone. I also rang Sky today, as I am one of those whose bill will increase by £3 a month, from £6.00 to £9.00.  I can get much better deals elsewhere for £9 a month.  I renewed my contract last September for 12 months so am in minimum contract term. I received my notification of price increase yesterday.  The gentleman I spoke to was friendly and helpful but adamant that early termination charges would apply.  I had to be very firm that they would not (thank you MSE) so he asked his supervisor.  They ended up deciding that to avoid the charges they would have to put me on a new contract to enact a cooling off period.  They have sent me a PAC code and told me it would be best to not use it until Saturday. So I guess it depends on the Agent who picks up your call and the consistency of training/ briefings that have taken place.  Will see how it goes, hope everyone who wants to move is able to find a way to. 

Just had the same - so will likely be switching to the MSE Lebara 5 GB deal (equivalent of £3.10 per month over a year) -

https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/cheap-mobile-finder/sim-only/lebara/

I wouldn't let the Sky operator go until she had checked that the content of my letter stood - i.e. that I could leave PENALTY FREE within 30 days of receiving the letter - I believe she went away to check with someone - and she also told me she would write this on my Account's notes

MrsSpangle

My experience with Sky Mobile’s £1.50 price rise – don’t give up

My mother is on a Sky Mobile plan that explicitly stated in May 2025 the price would be £6.40 per month for 12 months, then £8 thereafter. Sky then emailed on Friday to apply a £1.50 mid-contract increase – a ~23% rise on a low-cost plan.

When I called to cancel without early termination fees, the agent repeatedly relied on the generic “prices may rise” wording, refused to accept that a price stated for 12 months is a fixed price, and claimed the Ofcom rules don’t apply. That’s incorrect.

Only when I formally escalated the complaint, asked for a reference number, and mentioned CISAS did it move beyond script-reading. I was also given an incorrect complaints email address relating to online safety, which has nothing to do with billing disputes.

My strong impression is Sky are banking on people giving up because the amount looks small. Worryingly, this disproportionately affects older and more vulnerable customers, who are least able to navigate call centres, complaints processes, and ADR.

What to do:

• Ask for a formal complaint and get a reference number

• Put it in writing (don’t rely on the call alone)

• State the price you were promised and that the increase is to your material detriment

• If refused, ask for deadlock and escalate to CISAS (free and binding on Sky)

Persist politely. Front-line refusals are not the final word.

I really hope Martin Lewis calls this out publicly.

makara

MrsSpangle said:

My experience with Sky Mobile’s £1.50 price rise – don’t give up

I really hope Martin Lewis calls this out publicly.

Many thanks for the detail 

I've paid for and ordered my Lebara SIM - I'm ex Sky staff (2023 to 2025) - and after ditching their paid TV first and then their broadband (although I've since been with their cheaper sister company NOW for the broadband...) - mobile phone SIM will be the last to go - and the way the company (mis)behaves with both its customers and its staff - I won't be missing them after joining them in 2007

Cheeseandoatcakes

I have received my letter from Sky regarding the price increases. Currently have a family plan of 4 sims all on 2gb, and paying £16.80 a month in total. Each sim is increasing in price by £3, and although there is a small discount to the package, I am still going to be paying around £9 extra a month. I only renewed my mobile contract with Sky on 23rd December, so I believe that I am still in the “cooling off” period - there was no mention during the lengthy chat to renegotiate my contract, that there was an imminent price rise. In the letter, it says that “If you’ve changed or Mixed your data plan on any of these phone numbers since 6 November 2025, these increases won’t apply to them.” Am I right in thinking that renewing a contract does not fall under this, or is it worth challenging?

makara

Cheeseandoatcakes said:

I have received my letter from Sky regarding the price increases. Currently have a family plan of 4 sims all on 2gb, and paying £16.80 a month in total. Each sim is increasing in price by £3, and although there is a small discount to the package, I am still going to be paying around £9 extra a month. I only renewed my mobile contract with Sky on 23rd December, so I believe that I am still in the “cooling off” period - there was no mention during the lengthy chat to renegotiate my contract, that there was an imminent price rise. In the letter, it says that “If you’ve changed or Mixed your data plan on any of these phone numbers since 6 November 2025, these increases won’t apply to them.” Am I right in thinking that renewing a contract does not fall under this, or is it worth challenging?

A good question - I would phone and check with Sky about that specific final point - and whatever they say ensure they write what they tell you in your Account NOTES - so that if they say something in your favour / but then it doesn't materialise - you can point out what the Advisor wrote in your Notes

If I were you I'd also mention exercising the cooling-off period EARLY ON during the phone call - so that they are put on notice that you might leave if they try to enforce the price rise

dazzaofdagenham

Been on the £1 deal from late last year….unlimited calls / Texts / 1GB data….not had any info from SKY about a increase
i did however pay the £12 for the year upfront.

anyone else took this deal and had info about increase ?

flaneurs_lobster

dazzaofdagenham said:

Been on the £1 deal from late last year….unlimited calls / Texts / 1GB data….not had any info from SKY about a increase
i did however pay the £12 for the year upfront.

anyone else took this deal and had info about increase ?

Not what you asked but - same deal - no increase info.

I had no idea you could fund a year upfront.

dazzaofdagenham

flaneurs_lobster said:

dazzaofdagenham said:

Been on the £1 deal from late last year….unlimited calls / Texts / 1GB data….not had any info from SKY about a increase
i did however pay the £12 for the year upfront.

anyone else took this deal and had info about increase ?

Not what you asked but - same deal - no increase info.

I had no idea you could fund a year upfront.

I just made a manual payment via card…Didn’t want a small amount via direct debit…..