Last updated: Thursday 8 October 2026 (Europe/London).
Next update: when Ofcom publishes new pricing figures or Virgin Media changes its M350 price.
By: Switch Editorial Team, Switch Squid Ltd
As of 8 October 2026, Ofcom’s latest figures show 28% of broadband customers are out of contract, and customers in contract typically pay £7 to £9 a month less. If your minimum term is over, you can sign a new deal with your current provider or switch with no exit fee; one option is Virgin Media M350 at £25.99 a month for 24 months, with no set-up fee on its QuickStart self-install kit. SwitchSquid explains how to check your position, what to ask for and how the costs compare; we may earn a commission if you buy through our links.
Sources: Ofcom — pricing research, Ofcom — end-of-contract notifications, Ofcom — impact of end-of-contract alerts, Virgin Media — broadband only deals and Ofcom — price rises and your rights.
Virgin Media M350 — £25.99 a month for 24 months
- Average download speed of 362Mbps for £25.99 a month when we checked on 8 October 2026
- No set-up fee with QuickStart self-install; an engineer visit costs £30
- Main limitation: only available where Virgin Media’s network reaches your address, and the price rises to £74 a month after 24 months
What being out of contract means
Most broadband deals have a minimum term, usually 18 or 24 months. When that term finishes, your service carries on as normal: the same speed, the same router and the same email address. What usually changes is the price. Many providers move you from the discounted price you signed up to onto a standard monthly price, which is often much higher.
Being out of contract also gives you freedom. You can leave without an early exit charge, usually by giving the notice period set out in your terms, or you can agree a new contract with your current provider. Ofcom’s research shows that most out-of-contract customers could save money simply by talking to their provider and signing up to a new deal.
The gap is real but smaller than it used to be. Ofcom says the difference between in-contract and out-of-contract prices narrowed significantly last year, but in-contract customers still spend between £7 and £9 a month less on average. Over a year, that is roughly £84 to £108.
The end-of-contract alert: what your provider must tell you
Since 15 February 2020, Ofcom has required phone, broadband and pay TV providers to contact you between 10 and 40 days before your contract ends. The alert can come by text, email or letter, and it must tell you:
- the date your contract ends;
- what you pay now and what you will pay after it ends;
- any notice period you must give if you decide to leave;
- your provider’s best deals, including prices available only to new customers.
If you stay out of contract, your provider must remind you every year that you are out of contract and tell you about its best deals. Ofcom found that these alerts increased the share of broadband customers taking a new deal with their provider, and that some customers saved more than £110 a year on average when they re-contracted after an alert.
If you cannot find the alert, log in to your provider’s account or app. Your contract end date is usually shown there, along with your current monthly price.
Out of contract broadband options compared (checked 8 October 2026)
| Option | What you pay | Exit fee | Effort | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stay on your current out-of-contract price | Your provider’s standard monthly price, shown on your bill | None, but notice applies when you leave | None | People who expect to move home or change provider very soon |
| Sign a new deal with your current provider | A new contract price, often lower than the out-of-contract price | None to agree; a new minimum term starts | A phone call or online chat | People happy with their service who want a lower bill |
| Switch to Virgin Media M350 | £25.99 a month for 24 months, then £74 a month; £623.76 over 24 months | None from your old provider if you are out of contract | Order online; QuickStart self-install or £30 engineer visit | Homes on Virgin Media’s network that want a fixed monthly price for two years |
| Switch to BT Full Fibre 900 | £35.99 a month, rising to £39.99 from 31 March 2027 and £43.99 from 31 March 2028 | None from your old provider if you are out of contract | Order online; engineer visit if full fibre needs installing | Homes with Openreach full fibre that want top speeds |
The 24-month Virgin total is our own arithmetic (24 × £25.99). Virgin lists M350 with an average download speed of 362Mbps, for new customers only, and says discounted pricing may be offered in selected locations. BT figures are from BT’s current deals page.
Virgin Media M350 — £623.76 over 24 months
- 24 monthly payments of £25.99 for new customers
- No exit fee to leave your old provider once your minimum term is over
- Confirm the price and contract length in your basket
Should you ask for a better deal or switch?
Start with your current provider, because it is the quickest route and it keeps your service unchanged. Have two numbers ready: what you pay now, and what a comparable new-customer deal costs elsewhere. A clear comparison, such as Virgin Media M350 at £25.99 a month, gives you something specific to ask your provider to match.
Be polite and direct. Ask what new contracts they can offer, what each costs over the full term, and whether any price rises are written into the contract. If the offer is close to what you can get elsewhere and you are happy with the service, taking it is a sensible choice.
If the offer is not close, switching is usually simple. You are free to leave without an exit fee once your minimum term is over, and a new provider may also offer faster speeds for the same money. Ofcom’s research found average market prices fell by 6% in real terms across different speeds, so many households can upgrade without paying more.
How switching works now
For most home broadband switches, you only need to contact the new provider. Under One Touch Switch, the new provider arranges the move and tells your old provider, so you do not need to cancel yourself. You still have a 14-day cooling-off period after you sign up. Our One Touch Switch guide explains each step.
Before you order, check what is available at your address, because not every provider covers every street. If you need an engineer, book the earliest slot that suits you and keep your current service running until the new one is live. If you are moving home soon, our moving house broadband guide covers the timing.
Check the price-rise terms on your next contract
Since 17 January 2025, any price rise written into a new broadband contract must be set out in pounds and pence before you sign, with the date it applies. That makes it easier to work out the full cost. Some deals have set rises each year; others, like Virgin’s M350 listing, show a single price for the minimum term and then a higher price afterwards.
Write down your new contract end date as soon as you sign. Setting a reminder a month before it ends gives you time to compare again, rather than drifting onto a higher price. Our guides to mid-contract price rises and fixed-price broadband go into more detail.
Fit summary
- Good for Virgin Media M350 at £25.99: households on Virgin’s network that want a steady price for 24 months and around 362Mbps average download speeds.
- Good for re-contracting: people happy with their current service whose provider will offer a price close to the market.
- Consider BT Full Fibre 900: homes with Openreach full fibre that want the fastest speeds and accept the set yearly rises.
- Consider staying put for a short while: if you are moving home in the next few weeks and plan to choose a new deal at the new address.
Important conditions
- Virgin Media M350 is for new customers where Virgin’s network reaches the address; the price is £25.99 a month for 24 months, then £74 a month.
- QuickStart self-install has no set-up fee; an engineer installation costs £30.
- Leaving an existing provider is free of exit fees only once your minimum term has finished; notice periods still apply.
- Ofcom figures are averages and your own savings depend on what you pay now.
- Prices were correct when we checked on 8 October 2026; confirm the price and contract length at checkout.
Final decision card
Find your end date. Check your end-of-contract alert or online account.
Get one clear comparison. Virgin Media M350 is £25.99 a month for 24 months, or £623.76 over the term.
Then decide. Ask your provider to get close to that price, or switch if they cannot.
Check Virgin Media M350 at your address
- Enter your postcode and exact address
- Have your current contract end date to hand
- Order as soon as you are out of contract, or just before your price goes up
FAQ
What happens when my broadband contract ends?
Your service keeps working, but your price usually moves to the provider’s standard monthly rate, which is often higher. You can then leave without an exit fee or agree a new deal. Your provider must tell you the new price 10 to 40 days before the end date.
How do I know if I am out of contract?
Check for an end-of-contract alert by text, email or letter, or look in your provider’s online account or app. Providers must also remind out-of-contract customers once a year. If you still cannot tell, ask your provider for your contract end date.
How much more do out-of-contract customers pay?
Ofcom’s latest research says in-contract customers spend £7 to £9 a month less on average than out-of-contract customers. That works out at roughly £84 to £108 a year. Your own gap depends on your provider and package.
Can I leave my broadband provider if I am out of contract?
Yes. Once your minimum term has finished, you can leave without an early exit charge, though you may need to give the notice period in your terms. With One Touch Switch, your new provider usually arranges the move for you.
Should I call my provider before I switch?
It is worth it, because Ofcom found many customers save money by signing a new deal with their current provider. Have a comparable new-customer price ready so you know what a fair offer looks like. If the offer does not come close, switching is straightforward.
How much does Virgin Media M350 cost?
Virgin Media lists M350 broadband at £25.99 a month for 24 months for new customers, then £74 a month. There is no set-up fee with QuickStart self-install, or an engineer visit costs £30. Over 24 months, the monthly payments add up to £623.76.
Do I lose my broadband when I switch?
Usually there is little or no gap, because One Touch Switch coordinates the move between providers. Keep your old service running until the new one is ready, and check whether an engineer visit is needed at your address.
