If you’ve ever struggled to cancel a streaming service or wondered when your village will finally get decent internet, March 2026 is a milestone month. From a massive crackdown on “subscription traps” to the launch of a new nationwide broadband checker, here are the two major shifts affecting your digital life this week.
1. The End of ‘Subscription Traps’: New CMA Powers
As of late March, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has officially activated its new “Direct Enforcement” powers under the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act. This isn’t just a policy change—it’s a financial hammer. The CMA can now fine companies up to 10% of their global turnover for unfair subscription practices.
- The “One-Click” Rule: Digital services must now ensure that cancelling a subscription is as easy as signing up. If you joined in one click, you should be able to leave in one click.
- Mandatory Reminders: Companies are now required to send “clear and conspicuous” alerts before a free trial converts to a paid plan, and every six months for annual renewals.
- The Adobe Investigation: Proving they mean business, the CMA launched a high-profile investigation on March 19 into early cancellation fees, specifically targeting “hidden” costs in professional software contracts.
2. Project Gigabit: Is Your Postcode on the List?
Building Digital UK (BDUK) has just released its March 2026 progress update, revealing that over 1,020,000 premises are now officially under contract for government-backed full-fibre upgrades. If you live in a rural or “hard-to-reach” area, the timeline for your connection may have just shifted.
A new Gigabit Address Checker launched on March 13, allowing residents in England and Wales to see exactly when their street is scheduled for an upgrade. Key areas seeing a “surge of spades in the ground” this month include:
- The North: Major builds are active in Cumbria (Fibrus) and Northumberland (GoFibre).
- The Midlands: CityFibre has ramped up installations in Leicestershire and Northamptonshire.
- The South: Significant progress reported by Wildanet in Cornwall and Wessex Internet in Dorset.
| Feature | Status (March 2026) | What You Should Do |
| Subscription Exit | CMA crackdown on “trap” fees. | Report “hidden” cancellation buttons to the CMA. |
| Broadband Speed | 90% UK coverage reached. | Use the new GOV.UK checker to see your upgrade date. |
| Renewal Alerts | New mandatory reminders pending. | Check for “auto-renew” emails; firms are testing these now. |
How to Take Action Today
To avoid “zombie subscriptions” and ensure you aren’t paying for broadband speeds you don’t have, follow these three steps:
- Check your bank statements: Under the new March rules, any recurring charge that didn’t send you a recent reminder may be in breach of the law.
- Use the BDUK Checker: Visit the official gov.uk Project Gigabit page to see if your address has moved into the “active build” phase.
- Review the 14-Day “Cooling Off”: Remember that the 2026 rules grant an automatic 14-day cancellation window for any renewal that follows a free trial.
