Cancel contract
If you are looking to cancel your SIM only or broadband contract, there are a few things you should check to make the process as smooth and affordable as possible before you get in touch with your provider. If your initial commitment period has already finished, the process is usually very straightforward. On this page, we explain how to end a mobile or broadband agreement and what to look out for to avoid any unnecessary stress.
How do you cancel a contract?
Whatever your reason for leaving, we recommend checking your contract status first to see if you are still under contract or if your minimum term has expired. If you decide to switch providers while still under contract, you will likely have to pay an early termination fee. This is often a significant amount, as it usually covers the remaining monthly charges on your account.
The exact steps to cancel vary depending on the company. In most cases, you can notify them by phone, through their online chat, or in writing (email or post). No matter how you do it, always ask for written confirmation of the cancellation. This should clearly state your final service date and any agreed-upon final costs.
Situations where you can cancel without a penalty
When your contract is about to end
Most Irish providers require a 30-day notice period. If you have a month or less left on your contract, you can give your notice immediately. The notice period and the remainder of your contract will run at the same time, meaning you won’t pay any extra “break fees”—you simply finish out your agreement and the service stops.
During the 14-day “cooling-off” period
If you signed up for your broadband or mobile plan online or over the phone, you have a legal right to a 14-day cooling-off period. During this time, you can cancel for any reason without a penalty. However, if you have already started using the service (e.g., you’ve made calls or used data), the provider is allowed to charge you for the portion of the service you used up until the moment you cancelled.
If your provider raises their prices
Many Irish providers include an “annual price adjustment” in their terms. Under current ComReg regulations, providers must now clearly state the specific monetary amount of any annual increase at the start of your contract, rather than just a percentage.
If a provider increases their prices beyond what was explicitly stated in your contract, they must give you 30 days’ notice. During this window, you have the right to cancel your contract without paying any exit fees.
Please note! This does not apply if a “new customer discount” simply comes to an end and your bill reverts to the standard monthly price.
Can you cancel due to poor network coverage?
If you find that the mobile coverage or broadband speed is significantly lower than what was promised during your 14-day cooling-off period, you can usually cancel without a hitch.
If you have moved house and find the coverage is poor at your new address, the situation is trickier. Legally, providers aren’t always required to let you out of a contract just because you moved. However, some operators offer a “coverage guarantee.” It is always worth checking your specific terms or speaking to their retentions team to see if they can offer a solution.
Alternatively, some competing providers run “switcher offers” where they may give you credit toward your account to help cover the costs of an early termination fee from your old provider.
Can you keep your mobile number when cancelling a contract?
If you are switching providers you can absolutely keep your current number. This is a very simple process called Mobile Number Portability (MNP). You typically just need to tell your new provider that you want to port your number.
You will need to provide
- Your mobile number
- Your account type (Prepay or Bill Pay).
- Your account number (found on your bill or in your provider’s app).
The new provider handles the move for you. Once your number moves to the new network, your old contract is automatically cancelled.
How to cancel a broadband contract
Before cancelling broadband, check if you are still within your 12- or 24-month commitment. If you are moving house, check if the provider can move the service to your new address first, as this might save you from paying a cancellation fee.
If you are out of contract, you just need to give 30 days’ notice. Crucially, most Irish providers (especially Sky and Virgin Media) require you to return their equipment (modems, routers, or TV boxes). If you forget to send these back using their prepaid returns process (usually via An Post or a local DPD drop-off point), you could be hit with a “non-return fee” of €50 to €150.
How Irish providers calculate early termination fees
The way your final bill is worked out depends on what type of service you are using. In the Irish market, providers generally use the following three methods to calculate the cost of leaving early.
SIM only plans
If you are on a SIM-only contract, the fee is usually the most straightforward. It is typically calculated by taking your monthly subscription cost and multiplying it by the number of months left on your minimum term. Some providers may apply a small discount (often around 2–5%) to account for the fact that they are receiving the payment early.
Bill pay with a handset
This is generally the most expensive contract to break. Because the cost of your mobile phone was “subsidised” (meaning you got the phone cheaper in exchange for a longer contract), you will have to pay two things:
- The remaining monthly plan charges for the rest of your term.
- The outstanding balance of the handset’s value. This is often referred to as the “remaining device credit”.
Broadband contracts
For broadband, the fee is usually based on the monthly rental fee multiplied by the months remaining in your contract. However, it is common practice in Ireland to deduct the VAT or a small “costs saved” percentage from this total. This is because the provider isn’t actually supplying the data service to you once the line is disconnected.
Example: If you have 5 months left on a broadband contract that costs €50 per month, your total remaining value is €250. After the provider deducts a small percentage for “costs saved” and early settlement, your final early termination fee would likely land somewhere between €210 and €230.
