Martin Lewis: Money Saving Expert shares how O2 UK customers can beat price hikes - and cut bills in half
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O2 customers have a rare chance to slash their bills 🤑
- O2 is hiking mobile bills beyond what customers were promised, sparking anger
- Martin Lewis says customers can leave penalty-free within 30 days of notification
- Switching to cheaper SIM deals could save O2 users £10–£20 a month
- Options include leaving O2 entirely, moving to a piggyback network, or negotiating a lower price
- Acting quickly is crucial, as the price rise takes effect in April 2026 but the cancellation window is limited
O2 customers have been left fuming after learning their mobile bills are set to rise by more than the company originally promised, and Money Saving Expert founder Martin Lewis says it’s time to fight back.
The consumer champion has accused the mobile giant of “making a mockery” of Ofcom’s rules by announcing hikes that go beyond what customers agreed to when they signed their contracts.
And crucially, he says that means O2 users can leave penalty-free, but they’ll need to act fast.
“O2’s behaviour is outrageous,” Lewis said on the Money Saving Expert website. “It’s hiking prices by more than it told you when you signed up, which means it must let you leave penalty-free – within 30 days of notification.”
The hikes won’t hit bills until April 2026, but because O2 has already started notifying customers, the 30-day window to cancel starts now.
That means many people only have a few weeks left to make their move, and potentially save £10–£20 a month by switching to a cheaper SIM deal elsewhere.
‘O2 deserves a corporate bloody nose’
Lewis didn’t mince words when describing the move, saying O2’s price policy “feels disreputable” and warning that it sets a dangerous precedent for the whole industry.
He warned that if O2 gets away with the move, every broadband, pay-TV and mobile firm could try the same trick.
“Customers ditching it should damage its brand and help prevent it (& others) doing this again,” Lewis said.
He’s also taken the fight to Westminster, writing to the Chancellor and the telecoms regulator Ofcom, and speaking with Liz Kendall, the Secretary of State responsible for telecoms policy.
According to Lewis, Kendall was “up in arms” and has already written to Ofcom urging it to toughen its stance.
An O2 spokesperson said the company has been “fully transparent” about the changes, and that customers who don’t agree with the new terms can leave their contracts without penalty. They added that price rises help fund £700m of annual network investment.
What O2 customers can do right now
If you’ve received an email or text about the price rise, you don’t have to just sit and take it. Lewis has outlined three clear options – ranging from walking away entirely to haggling for a better deal.
1. Leave O2 and switch to the cheapest SIM on any network
Many O2 customers are already paying over the odds. By switching to a new provider, you could slash your monthly bill dramatically.
For example, a reader named Chris emailed Money Saving Expert to say he’d moved to Lebara on a rolling 30-day deal, saving £5 a month (£60 a year).
Using MSE’s Cheap SIM Finder comparison tool, some of the lowest deals currently include:
2. Leave O2 but stay on its signal
If you’re happy with O2’s coverage, you can still save by switching to a “piggyback” network that uses the same signal, such as Sky Mobile, Tesco Mobile or Giffgaff.
- Sky Mobile: 10GB for £6 a month, or 50GB for £11 a month.
- Giffgaff: Unlimited data for £15 a month (compared with O2’s £35 for the same).
Lewis warns users to double-check features like Wi-Fi calling and roaming, as these can vary between providers.
3. Stay with O2 but haggle
If you’d rather not leave, use the threat of cancellation to negotiate. Benchmark the cheapest comparable deals and tell O2 you’re willing to walk away. Many networks will offer “retention deals” to keep customers from switching.
Handy switching tip: To keep your mobile number when moving provider, text ‘PAC’ to 65075 (it’s free). You’ll get a code to give your new provider, and your number should transfer within one working day.
A few important caveats
- O2 Refresh users: You don’t need to pay off your phone in full before leaving – handset and airtime plans are separate.
- Volt customers: If you also have Virgin Media broadband, you’ll lose your “Volt” benefits if you cancel your O2 plan.
- O2 Priority perks: Leaving the network means losing access to O2 Priority rewards and presale tickets.
‘Act now – or risk missing out’
While the price rises themselves won’t bite until next spring, the right to leave penalty-free is time-limited.
That means waiting until your next bill lands could cost you hundreds over the year. Lewis’ message to O2 customers is clear: don’t wait until it’s too late.
“This is a rare chance to escape a big network penalty-free,” he said. “O2 deserves a corporate bloody nose – and customers can deliver it by voting with their feet.”