Out-of-contract mobile bills: what they mean before your contract ends
A dated note on how Ofcom rules require providers to flag the end of a mobile contract and what happens to the monthly bill afterwards.
Published January 2026
What changed
Ofcom requires mobile providers to send end-of-contract notifications and annual best-tariff reminders.
On many handset contracts, the monthly price continues to include a handset element after the minimum term ends unless the customer switches plan — the handset is paid for, but the bill behaves as if it isn't.
What it means before the contract end date
The contract end date is when the handset portion of the bill should reduce or change. If it does not, the household can be paying for a handset they already own.
Acting in the window between the provider's notification and the contract end date is what turns the rule into a real change in monthly cost.
What to do now
Check the minimum-term end date on the provider's notification.
Check whether the monthly price after the minimum term still includes a handset element.
Check whether usage on data, calls and texts still matches the plan.
Related pages
Mobile reminders
Track your mobile renewal date so the next change is on your calendar, not the provider's.
Mobile contract ending report 2026
Evidence on how UK prices move at this renewal — what households are paying and why.
What to do when your mobile contract ends
A short guide to the dates, terms and decisions behind this renewal.
Sources
- Ofcom — End-of-contract and annual best tariff notifications. Broadband, mobile and pay-TV providers must notify customers when their fixed contract is about to end and what the price will be afterwards.
- Ofcom — Ban on inflation-linked mid-contract price rises. Ofcom rules require providers to set out any in-contract price rises in pounds and pence at the point of sale.