Nov 4, 2025
The cost of mobile broadband can be higher than you think.
From data caps to surprise, mid-contract price rises, many hidden costs can add to your mobile broadband bill. Here’s what you need to look out for in your contract.
Extra Data is Expensive
One of the most common reasons people end up spending more on mobile broadband than they’d planned is exceeding their data allowance and getting hit with a hefty charge for extra downloads.
Most mobile broadband plans have a data cap - a limit to the amount you can browse, stream and download each month. Once you exceed this limit, you’ll be charged extra for any usage. The price per megabyte can be much higher than it is as part of your contract, but customers who rely on the connection don’t have any choice but to pay.
To keep the cost of mobile broadband down, most users should opt for an unlimited usage plan. This means you can use your connection as much as you need withorut any extra fees.
When thinking about how much data you’ll need, remember the same allowance will be used for everything from loading Whatsapp messages to streaming Netflix to working from home - the downloads can quickly add up!
Mid-contract price rise
Another sneaky tactic used by some broadband suppliers is mid-contract price rises. These unavoidable price increases often arrive in January or April, coinciding with the start of the year or tax year.
Suddenly, the monthly cost of your mobile broadband will jump, and the only option to avoid paying the increased price is paying an early exit fee.
As of January 2025, suppliers cannot impose mid-contract price rises without warning. Instead, every broadband company must outline how prices will change during the contract up front. However, suppliers still manage to hide this declaration in small print while highlighting the current, lower price.
To avoid being caught out, read the fine print of your contract carefully - or opt for a supplier that guarantees no mid-contract price rises.
Does equipment add to the cost of mobile broadband?
The equipment needed for a mobile home broadband setup is surprisingly simple, but it also adds to the cost of your mobile broadband plan.
Most mobile broadband contracts include an upfront fee to cover the cost of your router. However, if the provided router is not powerful enough, you might need to upgrade your equipment at an additional cost by buying a more advanced 5G router yourself.
In addition, buying accessories like WiFi extenders is another expense that increases the cost of mobile broadband. Ultimately, choosing a plan that includes the most up-to-date and powerful 5G router will save you stress and extra costs in the long term.
Delivery Costs
It’s a comparatively smaller expense, but it’s always frustrating to get to the end of setting up a new contract and realise there’s an extra delivery fee to pay.
Look for suppliers that offer free delivery to avoid the extra cost. Connectivity includes free next-day delivery in all its plans so you can get online as fast as possible without paying more.
