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How to lower your broadband bill (without losing speed)

The biggest savings come from not overpaying once you’re out of contract: check your contract status, work out the speed you actually need, then either haggle with your provider or switch with One Touch Switch. If you’re on a low income or certain benefits, a social tariff can cut your bill to £12–£24 a month, and moving to your own provider’s costs nothing.

Last updated: · Written by The NetSorted team

Broadband is one of the easiest household bills to cut — mostly by not overpaying. Here’s how, in order of impact.

1. Stop overpaying out of contract

Once your minimum term ends, providers often move you to a higher out-of-contract price. Check your contract status with our should I switch checker — if you’re out of contract, you’re probably paying more than a new customer would.

2. Buy only the speed you need

Many people pay for far more speed than they use. Work out your real requirement with what speed do I need? so you don’t overpay for headroom you’ll never touch.

3. Haggle or switch

  • Haggle: call your provider, point to better deals, and ask them to match. Being ready to leave is your strongest card.
  • Switch: if they won’t budge, One Touch Switch makes moving quick — you only contact the new provider.

4. Check whether you qualify for a social tariff

If you’re on a low income or certain benefits, a social tariff can cut your bill significantly — £12–£24 a month across the home-broadband tariffs Ofcom lists, with most offering 30 Mbps or more. (Ofcom quotes £10–£24, but the £10 entries are mobile SIM plans rather than home broadband.)

  • Who qualifies: people receiving Universal Credit, Pension Credit, Employment and Support Allowance, Jobseeker’s Allowance or Income Support (some providers include further benefits). The benefit recipient must be the main account holder.
  • Availability: offered by major providers including BT, Sky, Virgin Media, EE, NOW, Vodafone and Hyperoptic, plus many regional networks. (O2’s Essential Plan is a mobile SIM tariff, not home broadband.)
  • Switching costs: Ofcom says you can move to your own provider’s social tariff at any time free of charge, and leave one without a fee. Moving to a different provider’s is less certain — Ofcom only says your current provider “might” waive the exit fee, so ask first.

It’s worth checking even if you’re mid-contract — moving to your current provider’s social tariff costs nothing.

Check which social tariffs you qualify for — three questions, using Ofcom’s full published table.

→ Use the should I switch checker

Frequently asked questions

How can I lower my broadband bill?

Check whether you’re out of contract — if so you’re probably overpaying. Work out the speed you actually need, then either negotiate a better price with your provider or switch using One Touch Switch. If you receive certain benefits, a social tariff can be much cheaper.

What is a broadband social tariff and do I qualify?

Social tariffs are cheaper broadband packages — £12–£24 a month across the tariffs Ofcom lists — for people on Universal Credit, Pension Credit, ESA, JSA, Income Support and some other benefits. The benefit recipient must be the main account holder. Ofcom says you can switch to your own provider’s social tariff free of charge and leave one with no fee; moving to a different provider’s is less certain, because your current provider only “might” waive an exit fee.

Will a cheaper deal mean slower broadband?

Not necessarily. Many people are on more speed than they need. Work out your real requirement first — you can often pay less for the same or better speed, and most social tariffs still offer 30 Mbps or more.

Sources

Published 14 June 2026; last updated 2 August 2026.