Leaving early: cease fees and early termination fees

Leaving a mobile agreement early costs money, but how much depends on the term you signed and how far through it you are. This guide sets out the two charges you might see — an early termination fee and a cease fee — and when each one applies.

Key takeaways

• 24 month term: the early termination fee is the pro rata line rental left to run.

• 30 day term: no early termination fee, but a £30 cease fee applies inside 24 months of activation.

• Notice periods are included in the calculation.

• Moving a connection to a new tariff restarts a fresh 24 month period.

Leaving a 24 month agreement

On a 24 month agreement an early termination fee applies whenever a cease request is submitted before the minimum term is complete. The fee is the pro rata cost of the line rental remaining from the cease date to the end of the agreement, including any required notice period.

In practice that means the cost of leaving falls steadily as you move through the term: leaving in month three is expensive, leaving in month twenty-two usually is not.

Leaving a 30 day rolling term

On 30 day terms there is no early termination fee — that is the flexibility you pay a higher monthly price for. There is still a £30 cease fee if the connection is disconnected within 24 months of activation.

So a rolling plan gives you freedom to change tariff, not a completely free exit inside the first two years. If you know you will keep the line for the long haul, the 24 month price is normally the cheaper route.

Re-signs, migrations and restarted terms

Moving an existing connection onto a new tariff restarts a fresh 24 month period for that subscription. It is worth being deliberate about this: a small monthly saving can commit you to another two years.

Promotional tariffs are aimed at new business, so a re-sign or internal migration may not qualify for the same pricing.

What to check before you request a cease

Work out how many months are left, ask for the exact fee in writing, and check whether a notice period is added on top. If you are moving your number elsewhere, request the PAC before the line is ceased — a ceased number cannot be ported.

• Months remaining on the minimum term

• Any notice period included in the calculation

• Whether a £30 cease fee applies to the connection

• Whether you need a PAC code to keep the number

Frequently asked questions

How is the early termination fee worked out?

It is the pro rata line rental from the cease date to the end of the minimum term, including any notice period that applies.

Does the £30 cease fee apply on a 24 month plan?

The £30 cease fee is the charge attached to disconnecting a connection within 24 months of activation. On a 24 month agreement the early termination fee is the main charge you will face if you leave part way through.

Can I switch tariff without leaving the network?

Usually yes, but moving the connection to a new tariff starts a fresh 24 month period, and promotional pricing is generally reserved for new business.

Next steps

• See current SIM only deals

• Ask us about your term