Broadband setup fees are back
For a few years, “no upfront cost” was the standard pitch when you signed up for broadband. That’s changing. Several big providers have quietly reintroduced broadband setup fees for new customers, and they’re not hiding it in the small print, they’re just hoping you don’t notice at the checkout.
If you’re shopping for a new deal this month, it’s worth checking for broadband setup fees before you click confirm, because the headline monthly price isn’t always the whole story anymore.
Which providers now charge a broadband setup fee?
BT, EE and Plusnet, all part of the same group, have each reintroduced a charge for new sign ups. Here’s what’s being reported for August 2026, checked against provider and consumer press coverage.
Broadband setup fees by provider, checked August 2026
| Provider | Reported setup fee | When it applies |
| BT | Around £30 | New broadband sign ups, router included |
| EE | Around £30 | New broadband sign ups |
| Plusnet | Around £20 | New broadband sign ups |
Treat those as guide figures rather than gospel, since providers can and do adjust fees without much fanfare. Always check the exact charge shown at checkout before you commit.
Why are broadband setup fees making a comeback?
Providers frame it as covering the cost of activating your line and shipping a router. Skeptics might point out that “no upfront cost” broadband did just fine without this charge a couple of years ago, and margins are probably the real story. Either way, it’s happening, so budgeting for it beats being surprised by it.
It’s also not the only cost that can turn up uninvited. Some deals still advertise “no upfront cost” while a £30 to £60 charge shows up on the first bill instead, and separately, a router rental fee can quietly add up over the length of a contract.
Can you avoid a broadband setup fee?
Sometimes, yes. Not every provider has brought one back, so it’s worth comparing more than one deal rather than taking the first result. Smaller and alternative network providers in particular still tend to compete on a genuinely fee free sign ups, since undercutting the big names on total cost is one of the few ways they win new customers.
If you’re set on a provider that does charge a broadband setup fee, ask directly whether it can be waived, especially if you’re a returning customer or bundling more than one service. It won’t always work, but it costs nothing to ask.
What about the fee for not returning your router?
This one catches people out even more than broadband setup fees do. When you leave a provider, most expect the router back within 30 to 45 days, and missing that window can mean a separate non return charge, anywhere from around £20 for a basic router up to £200 or more for bundled kit like a TV box.
Keep the pack it arrived in, or at least the return label, so you’re not scrambling for a box when you finally switch away.
How much difference does a broadband setup fee actually make?
On its own, £20 to £30 sounds small next to a monthly bill. Spread it across an 18 month contract though, and a broadband setup fee adds roughly £1 to £2 a month to what you’re really paying, even though it never shows up on the monthly price you compared at the start.
That’s exactly the kind of thing the headline price is designed to hide. Two deals can look identical at £24 a month, and still end up several pounds apart once you add the extras in. The only way to know for sure is to add up the whole first year, setup fee included, before you sign anything.
This is the Do Nothing Default at work again, just in a different shape. Nobody’s hoping you’ll fail to switch this time, they’re hoping you won’t read past the monthly figure. Reading the checkout page properly takes two minutes and can save you the cost of the fee several times over.
Key takeaways
- BT, EE and Plusnet have all reintroduced a broadband setup fee for new customers, reportedly around £20 to £30.
- Some deals hide the charge as a “first bill” surprise rather than an upfront cost.
- Alternative network providers often still offer fee free sign up as a way to compete.
- Ask if a broadband setup fee can be waived, particularly as an existing or bundling customer.
- Separately, missing the router return window when you leave can add a non return charge on top.
Before you commit to a deal, it’s worth working out the total first year cost, not just the monthly price. Our guide to broadband exit fees covers the other end of the contract, and if you’re haggling to stay put instead, our broadband haggling guide has the script.
Frequently asked questions about broadband setup fees
- Do broadband setup fees apply to existing customers who renew?
- Usually not. They tend to target new sign ups rather than existing customers renewing or moving to a new deal with the same provider.
- Can I get a refund on a broadband setup fee if I cancel early?
- You have a legal cooling off period after signing up online or by phone, usually 14 days, during which you can cancel and shouldn’t be left out of pocket. After that, refunds are down to the provider’s own policy.
- Is a broadband setup fee the same as a router rental charge?
- No. A setup fee is a one off charge when you join. Router rental, where it applies, is a separate ongoing monthly cost on top.
- Which broadband providers still offer free setup?
- This changes regularly, so it’s worth checking current deals directly rather than relying on last year’s offer. Several alternative network providers still compete on fee free sign up.
- How do I compare the true cost between two broadband deals?
- Add the monthly price across the full contract length, then add any broadband setup fee and known extras like router postage. Compare that total, not just the advertised monthly figure.
