Black Friday is famous for slashing prices on everything from TVs to toys. But what about broadband? Many UK households wonder if holding off until the big November sales will score them a much cheaper internet package. Broadband providers do jump on the Black Friday bandwagon each year with eye-catching offers. However, timing your switch involves weighing any extra savings against the costs of waiting. Is it really worth postponing a broadband upgrade until Black Friday, or could you be better off sealing a deal right now?

Why Black Friday broadband deals are special

Black Friday (and the following Cyber Monday) has become a major date in broadband marketing. Providers know shoppers are primed for bargains, so they often unveil some of their juiciest promotions around late November. In the past, we’ve seen offers like several months of free service, sharply reduced introductory prices, and hefty sign-up incentives timed for Black Friday. For example, one full-fibre provider even offered 6 months free broadband during Black Friday – an effective 50% discount on a 12-month deal. Major players have also joined in; one recent Black Friday saw Virgin Media give new customers 3 months free plus a £200 bill credit when they switched – far beyond the usual promotions. Competition for new subscribers peaks during the holiday sale season, and ISPs want to stand out with these headline-grabbing deals.

In short, Black Friday tends to bring out some of the most generous broadband promotions of the year as providers race to lock in customers for the coming months. It’s one of the few times you might see premium packages (like ultrafast fibre plans) bundled with freebies or big discounts that aren’t normally available. This makes Black Friday broadband deals feel special compared to ordinary times of the year.

Potential perks of waiting for Black Friday

For shoppers with patience, waiting until Black Friday could pay off in a few ways. The biggest draw is the possibility of getting more for your money than at other times. A Black Friday broadband deal might come with extras like free months of service, deeper introductory discounts, or high-value reward cards (for example, a £75 shopping voucher) that you wouldn’t get on a normal day. You might also find top-tier packages at unusually low prices during these sales. Smaller full-fibre providers, in particular, have been known to drastically cut prices on gigabit-speed plans over Black Friday to attract attention – giving savvy customers a chance to grab ultrafast speeds at a budget rate.

Timing can be everything. If your current contract is ending in late November or December, it can make sense to see what Black Friday offers pop up. You may score a better deal by waiting those extra few weeks rather than renewing a month too early. And even if your contract isn’t up right then, many Black Friday broadband promotions actually start early (often in the first weeks of November) and run through Cyber Monday. That means you don’t always have to wait until the very day – you can start checking for “Black Friday” specials as November kicks off. By holding off until this season, you give yourself the chance to snag one of those limited-time bargains that providers reserve for year-end shoppers.

Reasons you might not want to wait

Paying more while you wait

On the flip side, delaying a switch can cost you. If you’re already out of contract and paying a rolling monthly fee, hanging on for Black Friday means continuing to overpay for broadband in the meantime. Ofcom data shows around 40% of UK broadband customers (about 8.7 million people) are out of contract and paying roughly £4–5 extra per month on average compared to in-contract prices. That loyalty penalty adds up – even waiting 3 months could mean roughly £15 in needless charges if you’re in that situation. In other words, the savings from a flashy Black Friday deal might be cancelled out if you spend autumn paying your provider’s high default rate. If you can already get a much cheaper tariff today, switching sooner may save you more overall than holding off.

Deals are around all year

Another reason not to wait is that good broadband deals are available all year round. The UK market is highly competitive, with dozens of providers vying for customers’ attention. ISPs run promotions in every season – not just Black Friday – to fill their sign-up targets. You might find an excellent offer in September or October that rivals anything coming in November. Smaller alternative network providers often roll out aggressive discounts whenever they expand into a new area, and big providers frequently have flash sales outside of Black Friday too. For example, Plusnet even markets that it provides great low prices “Black Friday or not,” highlighting that decent deals can be had any day of the year.

It’s also worth noting that not every promotion labeled “Black Friday” is vastly better than an existing deal. Sometimes the difference is marginal, or a provider might simply rebrand a normal offer to create urgency. So if you come across a strong deal now that fits your needs, there’s little sense in delaying and risking it disappearing. You’ll want to avoid letting your current service roll on at an inflated price just for the sake of a marketing event.

Finally, keep in mind that a Black Friday deal from a major provider may still include the standard annual price rise clause (for example, an increase next spring tied to inflation or a set figure). From 2025, providers must state any such rise in advance in plain £ and pence (thanks to new Ofcom rules), but that doesn’t change the fact that your “bargain” £20 per month could become £22 per month later in the contract. In short, waiting for Black Friday won’t exempt you from things like mid-contract increases or other fine print terms – they apply whenever you sign up, unless you choose a plan that guarantees no rises. (If you’re curious, see our guide to beating mid-contract price hikes for more on avoiding spring price jumps.)

How to get the best broadband deal now

Whether you decide to hold out for Black Friday or not, a smart approach will ensure you get a fair deal. Start by checking your current contract status. Know when your contract ends and what you’re paying now. If you’re already out of contract, don’t wait around – you’re likely paying more than necessary each month, so it’s wise to begin shopping for a better deal immediately. If you have a few months left on your term, mark the end date on your calendar and see if you can time any new deal to start then (to avoid early exit fees).

Next, use a broadband comparison tool to see what offers are available at your address today. You can try the free postcode checker on our site or a partner site like BroadbandSwitch.uk to view live deals from dozens of providers. This will give you a baseline for prices and speeds in your area. You might discover a bargain available right now that makes waiting unnecessary. And if nothing now impresses you, you’ll at least know the going rates – so if a Black Friday special appears, you can judge if it’s truly better than the usual deals.

Always read the fine print of any broadband offer, Black Friday or otherwise. Check the contract length, any upfront costs, and whether the monthly price will change after an introductory period. Some “amazing” deals advertise a very low rate but only for the first 3–6 months, after which the price rises. Others might include a mid-contract increase (e.g. an annual rise each April) – these should be clearly disclosed now. Make sure you compare the total cost over the full contract. Our UK broadband switching guide and other resources can help you understand these details so there are no surprises. The goal is to know exactly what you’ll pay, even beyond the Black Friday promotional period.

If you are aiming for Black Friday, do a bit of homework ahead of time. Think about what broadband speed and features your household actually needs, and what budget you’re comfortable with. That way, when limited-time offers pop up, you can quickly identify which ones genuinely suit you. Consider setting reminders to start checking for deals in early November – many ISPs release their Black Friday offers early. And when you do see a great deal, be ready to act promptly. Some of the steepest discounts might be available only for a short window or to a limited number of customers. By planning in advance, you won’t be scrambling at the last minute.

• Check your contract: Know when your current deal ends and if you’ll face any exit fees. If you’re out of contract, don’t keep overpaying – start looking now.
• Compare deals now: Use a postcode checker to see available broadband deals at your address. You might find an excellent offer today that negates the need to wait.
• Read the fine print: Be aware of contract length, any mid-term price rises, and promo periods. A deal is only as good as its terms over the whole contract.
• Be prepared: If you plan to wait for Black Friday, decide what you need (speed, budget, extras) beforehand. Keep an eye out as November deals go live, and be ready to move quickly when a good one appears.

Should you wait or switch now?

In the end, the decision comes down to your circumstances. Black Friday broadband deals can offer excellent value – especially if your timing aligns with your contract ending and you manage to snag a top promotion. If you’re free to switch during that period, it’s certainly worth checking what special offers emerge. But if you’re currently overpaying or you spot a great deal before then, there’s little sense in postponing. The UK broadband market is so competitive now that savings are on the table all year. The key is to stay alert and compare your options. By doing that, you’ll secure a fair price and fast speeds whether it’s Black Friday or any other Friday.

Remember, the goal is to get the best deal for you. For some, that might indeed happen on Black Friday. For others, it could be today. To make sure you don’t miss out, use our resources to your advantage – for example, our best broadband deals guide is updated with the latest offers and tips. Ultimately, if you do your homework and shop around, you can confidently choose whether to wait for a Black Friday bargain or go ahead and switch now, knowing you’re getting the best value possible.

searchswitchsave, #broadband, #broadbanddeals, #blackfriday, #cybermonday, #switchandsave, #saveonbills, #savemoney, #cheapbroadband, #ukdeals, #broadbandswitch, #internet, #deals