12 Month Broadband Deals Explained for UK Homes

Written by Shay Ramani
Reviewed by Prajesh Manvar
9 min read
Updated: 7 Aug 2026
Broadband Packages
12 Month Broadband Deals Explained for UK Homes

12 month broadband deals are a minority product in the UK in 2026, because most national providers now sell 24-month contracts as standard. A one-year contract still exists, but you usually need to look at smaller alternative networks (altnets) or contact a provider directly rather than buy online. The trade-off is flexibility for a slightly higher monthly price.

Free Price Compare checks deals across the whole UK broadband market, including providers that do not always appear on price comparison tables. We source contract and pricing rules from Ofcom and the Advertising Standards Authority so you know what a provider can and cannot do once you sign.

Quick Answer

  • A 12-month broadband deal is a one-year minimum contract that rolls onto a monthly basis once the term ends, giving more flexibility than a 24-month deal.
  • Most national providers (BT, Sky, Virgin Media, Vodafone) have largely dropped 12-month consumer contracts; availability now comes mainly from altnets and depends on your address.
  • A 12-month contract typically costs more per month than an equivalent 24-month deal.
  • Around 48% of 12-month deals are fully fixed-price for the term, so check whether your chosen deal includes the April price rise before you sign.
  • From January 2025, Ofcom requires providers to show any mid-contract price rise in pounds and pence before you sign up.

Last updated: June 2026

Written by the Free Price Compare editorial team | Reviewed June 2026

Content in this article

Why a one-year contract suits some households

A 12-month broadband contract suits renters, students and anyone whose plans may change within a year, because it ties you in for only 12 months rather than the 18 or 24 months most providers now push. After the minimum term, the contract continues on a rolling monthly basis, so you can leave with about a month’s notice without an early-exit charge.

The clearest use case is a fixed-length stay: a one-year job placement, a student let, or a property you are leasing short-term. Signing an 18 or 24-month deal on a home you will leave within a year usually means paying early-exit fees for the months left to run. A 12-month term lines the contract up with how long you actually need the connection.

The cost of that flexibility is real but modest. A 12-month contract typically costs more per month than the same deal on a longer 24-month term. If you need the shorter term, that premium is usually worth paying to avoid being locked in.

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Who still offers 12 month broadband deals in the UK?

Alternative networks (altnets) supply most 12-month broadband deals in the UK in 2026, rather than the big national brands, with availability that depends heavily on your postcode. BT, Sky, Virgin Media and Vodafone have largely moved to 24-month contracts as their main consumer terms. Virgin Media now markets 30-day rolling contracts on its website rather than a 12-month term.

A handful of providers still publish or offer one-year terms, though stock and availability change often. Where a 12-month option exists, it is sometimes available only by phone rather than online.

  • Altnets with regional coverage: Community Fibre (London), Hyperoptic (UK-wide, mostly flats and flat blocks) and YouFibre (on the Netomnia network) offer 12-month terms in their coverage areas.
  • Phone-only options: Plusnet has offered 12-month contracts on some packages that you cannot buy online, so you contact the provider directly.
  • Social tariffs: BT’s 12-month option is restricted to its social broadband tariffs, which are only available to customers on qualifying means-tested benefits.

Because a provider being national does not mean it serves your street, the only reliable way to know your options is a postcode check. Full-fibre altnets in particular cover specific streets and developments, so two homes a few roads apart can have completely different choices.

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A postcode check shows the real 12-month and rolling deals you can actually order.

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How much do 12 month broadband deals cost?

Entry-level 12-month full-fibre deals from altnets generally start around £20 to £24 a month, with faster gigabit tiers clustering around the £28 to £36 range. As of 15 June 2026, YouFibre’s fixed-price range started at £24 a month for its 200Mbps plan, with 1000Mbps at £28 and 2000Mbps at £30 (findcheapbroadband.com price tracker). London provider Community Fibre listed a 500Mbps plan at £20 a month and 1Gbps at £23 with free setup in April 2026.

Watch for setup and activation fees, which can sit on top of the headline monthly price. Hyperoptic, for example, has charged a £19 activation fee on its 12- and 24-month contracts. A low monthly price with a £50 or £65 upfront fee may cost more over a year than a slightly higher monthly price with free setup.

Cost element What to expect on a 12-month deal
Monthly price (entry full fibre) Around £20 to £24 a month
Monthly price (gigabit tiers) Around £28 to £36 a month
Premium vs 24-month equivalent Around 10% to 30% more per month
Setup/activation fee Free to around £65, depending on provider
Router Usually included; check whether it must be returned

Figures are indicative and may change. Prices and offers vary by address and offer period, so always confirm the exact monthly cost, any upfront fee and the contract length at checkout.

Across the broader market, Ofcom found that average broadband prices fell about 6% in real terms in 2025, with the steepest falls on faster services (Ofcom Pricing and Consumer Engagement Report, February 2026). Ofcom also reported that gigabit-capable services have dropped from over £60 a month in September 2021 to around £35 to £45 a month by September 2025.

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Do 12 month broadband deals avoid mid-contract price rises?

Some 12-month broadband deals are fully fixed-price for the whole term and some are not, so this is the single most important thing to check before you sign. A fixed-price contract means your monthly price will not change during the 12 months unless you choose to upgrade or add extras. Some one-year deals are fully fixed-price for the whole term, while a significant number include a built-in rise around April, so the split varies across the market.

A useful advantage of a 12-month term is exposure to fewer price-rise events. On a one-year contract you usually pass through just one annual rise period (1 April each year), whereas on an 18 or 24-month deal you are likely to pass through two. Providers that offer fixed-price one-year deals include Community Fibre, YouFibre and Zen Internet.

From January 2025, Ofcom requires providers to set out any mid-contract price rise clearly in pounds and pence before you sign, replacing vague inflation-linked wording. Ofcom’s early assessment, published in 2026, suggests this gives more clarity at the point of sale, with a fuller review planned for 2027. For 2026, in-contract fixed broadband rises have been announced in the range of around £2 to £4 a month, according to Ofcom.

Do 12 month broadband deals avoid mid-contract price rises

Can you get 12 month broadband with no landline, TV or bundle?

Yes, most modern 12-month broadband deals are full-fibre, broadband-only products that do not include a landline, which suits households that only want internet. Full-fibre (FTTP) connections from altnets run over fibre to the property and do not need a traditional phone line, so “no landline” broadband is now the default rather than the exception. Ofcom reported that full-fibre was available to 69% of UK homes by September 2024 (Ofcom Connected Nations, December 2024), broadening the choice of landline-free deals.

Bundling TV or phone into a 12-month deal is harder. The providers that still offer one-year terms are mostly broadband-only altnets, so you will usually struggle to find a 12-month contract with a full TV package attached. If a bundled TV and broadband deal matters more than the short term, you may need to accept a longer contract or buy a streaming service separately.

For students and short-term renters, a broadband-only full-fibre deal on a 12-month term is usually the cleanest fit: it covers a typical academic year or one-year tenancy, then rolls onto a monthly basis. If you need cover for less than a year, a 30-day rolling contract (offered by some providers, often at a higher monthly price) can be more suitable than paying to exit a 12-month deal early.

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What to check before you sign a 12-month contract

Before signing a 12-month broadband deal, confirm the full first-year cost, not just the headline monthly price, because setup fees and any April rise change the real total. The Advertising Standards Authority requires broadband ads to present pricing and speed claims fairly, but the contract you sign is what binds you, so read the terms at checkout.

  • Speed you will actually get: check the advertised average download speed in Mbps or Gbps and the guaranteed minimum speed, not just the “up to” figure.
  • Fixed price vs rises: confirm whether the monthly price is fixed for the full 12 months or includes an April increase shown in pounds and pence.
  • Upfront fees: add any setup or activation fee to the yearly total before comparing deals.
  • Router and returns: check the router is included and whether you must return it when you leave.
  • What happens at the end: confirm the rolling monthly price after month 12, which is usually higher than the promotional rate.

Ofcom data shows 28% of broadband customers are out of contract, and out-of-contract customers pay on average £7 to £9 a month more than in-contract customers (Ofcom, February 2026). A diary note to re-contract or switch when your 12 months end is the simplest way to avoid drifting onto a higher rolling price. The One Touch Switch process, introduced in September 2024, lets you move provider in one step, and 18% of households switched provider in 2025, up from 14% in 2023.

FAQs about 12 month broadband deals

Are 12-month broadband deals more expensive than 24-month deals?

Usually yes. A 12-month broadband contract typically costs around 10% to 30% more per month than the same deal on a 24-month term, which can add roughly £4 to £12 to your monthly bill. You are paying a premium for the flexibility of being tied in for only one year rather than two.

What happens when my 12-month broadband contract ends?

When the 12-month minimum term ends, the contract does not simply stop. It rolls onto a month-to-month basis, usually at a higher price than your promotional rate, and continues until you cancel, switch or re-contract. Setting a reminder for when your term ends helps you avoid paying the higher out-of-contract price.

Can I cancel or leave a 12-month broadband deal early?

You can leave early, but you will normally pay an early-termination charge covering the remaining months of the 12-month term. The main exceptions are if your provider raises the price in a way that gives you a right to exit, or if it fails to meet a guaranteed minimum speed under a relevant code of practice. Once the minimum term ends, you can leave with about a month’s notice and no exit fee.

Do 12-month broadband deals include a router?

Almost all 12-month broadband deals include a router at no extra cost. Some providers ask you to return the router when you leave, and a small number charge a separate delivery or activation fee, so check the terms at checkout. If you keep an existing router, confirm it is compatible with the new provider’s network before you switch.

Can I get a 12-month broadband deal with TV and phone bundled?

This is difficult. Most providers that still offer 12-month terms are broadband-only alternative networks that do not sell TV packages, so finding a one-year deal with a full TV and phone bundle is rare. If a bundle matters most, you may need a longer contract, or you can pair a broadband-only deal with a separate streaming subscription.

Is there a broadband deal shorter than 12 months?

Yes, some providers offer 30-day rolling contracts with no fixed minimum term, which suit stays of less than a year. These cost more per month than a 12-month deal and may carry higher setup fees, but you can cancel with about a month’s notice. They can work out cheaper than signing a 12-month deal and paying to exit it early.

Why have most providers stopped offering 12-month broadband?

Longer contracts let providers spread installation and equipment costs over more months and keep customers for longer, so most national brands now favour 24-month terms. This is why one-year deals are increasingly limited to smaller alternative networks and a few providers that offer them by phone rather than online. Availability depends heavily on your postcode.

Can students get a 12-month broadband deal for a term-time house?

A 12-month broadband deal can suit a student house because it broadly matches a one-year tenancy, then rolls onto a monthly basis you can cancel. Before signing, check whether everyone in the house is staying the full year and who is named on the contract, as the account holder is liable for the bill. A 30-day rolling deal can be better if the tenancy is shorter or uncertain.

What should I do if I’m renting for only 12 months but the deal is 18 months?

If the only available deal is longer than your tenancy, you have a few options: ask whether the provider can transfer the contract to your new address when you move, choose a 30-day rolling contract instead, or factor in the early-exit charge for the remaining months. Some full-fibre providers will move your service to a new home if they cover that address, which avoids an exit fee.

Do 12-month broadband deals avoid price rises completely?

Not always. Some one-year deals are fully fixed-price for the whole term, while others include a built-in rise, usually around April. A 12-month contract does have an advantage in that you typically pass through only one annual price-rise period, whereas longer contracts usually pass through two. Check whether your chosen deal is fixed before you sign.

Do I need a landline to get 12-month broadband?

No. Most 12-month broadband deals are full-fibre (FTTP) products that run over fibre to your property and do not need a traditional landline. Broadband-only, no-landline deals are now the standard from alternative networks. If you want a home phone, you can usually add a digital phone service rather than a copper line.

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Information correct as of 30 June 2026. Prices, tariffs, policy details and providers change frequently, so please check the latest details before making a decision. This article is for general information only and does not constitute financial advice. Free Price Compare is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).

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