Why do we say millions are outside their minimum term?
The UK research below points to a large audience for contract reviews. These are dated findings with different definitions and methods, rather than a live count of people who need to switch.
Sources checked: 30 October 2026.
What does Ofcom’s provider data show?
41% of pay-monthly mobile customers were out of contract in Q2 2025, compared with 37% a year earlier. Among SIM-only subscriptions with minimum terms longer than 30 days, 43% were out of contract.
Ofcom’s broader figure includes short-term SIM-only plans it treats as always out of contract. Some customers deliberately choose that flexibility and may already have a competitive deal.
Source: Ofcom, Pricing and consumer engagement report (PDF, pages 67–68), published February 2026, using mobile providers’ customer-level data.
Where does the 14 million estimate come from?
Uswitch reported approximately 14 million UK mobile customers already out of contract or due to be by 1 April 2026. Its nationally representative survey of 2,000 UK adults, conducted by Opinium on 20–24 February 2026, found 18% said their contract had ended and 7% said it would end before April.
This is a survey-based population estimate, including people approaching their end date at the time. It is not a count of 14 million people currently overpaying.
Source: Uswitch, March 2026 analysis and methodology.
Is there evidence of higher bills after a fixed term?
Citizens Advice estimated that 1.2 million mobile customers had experienced a price increase after their fixed term ended, averaging £6.16 a month — about £74 over a year. This narrower estimate came from a survey of 6,000 UK adults, conducted by Opinium between 22 April and 6 June 2025.
That annual equivalent describes the reported increase; it is not a promised saving from this service.
Source: Citizens Advice, renewal deals research, 25 September 2025 (mobile findings in the methodology notes).
Reviewing your deal is the useful next stepThese groups overlap and the figures should not be added together. Being outside a minimum term does not automatically mean you are overpaying. Compare your current price, coverage, usage and terms before deciding whether to stay, renegotiate or switch.