Many contracts are paid monthly over two years and cover the cost of the customer’s phones, which can be hundreds of pounds to buy outright. Overall, 36% of people with a handset-inclusive mobile phone contract stayed on it beyond the fixed period, with 19% staying in the same contract for more than six months afterwards. Guy added: “It is clearly unfair that some phone providers are charging loyal customers for handsets that they have already paid for. A Vodafone spokeswoman said workers contacted customers near the ends of their contracts “wherever possible”. EE said separating phone and tariff sometimes left customers worse off, adding that most choose upgrades or a SIM-only plan when their contracts expire.

Source: The Guardian October 20, 2017 07:37 UTC