End of contract

[mmc_29]

My mobile+SIM plan contract has ended on 29 Sept 2024. And it says that I will still be charged the same amount after that - which is quite ridiculous because technically speaking my mobile should be considered "fully paid" after the 24-month subscription period, therefore I should only be paying for the SIM plan part (unli text/calls and mobile data). I tried switching to a SIM only plan but I can't seem to find how to do it via EE app - unless, this needs to be done by calling EE or visiting a store? Can someone confirm? 
Appreciate your responses. Thank you!

[Chris_B]

@mmc_29  The newer flex plans work in this way as its two separate contracts, you have the old style of contract where is one bill for both so unless you upgrade to a sim only it’ll remain the same cost on a 30 day rolling contract.  You don’t have a mobile + sim plan you have a full device contract.  The new flex plans could be classified as a mobile and sim plan as its two separate contracts.  

 you can upgrade via the app to a sim only.  You just click the upgrade tab and at the top of the screen you select sim only. 

[mmc_29]

But what benefit do I get for paying the same amount a month after, yet my
phone is technically fully paid already.

Anyway, the Upgrade tab is not working for me - there is always an error
message about being unable to connect to the server and that I should
retry. This has been the issue since I don't know when, as I had been
trying this before.

I guess going to a physical store is easier as the waiting time to speak to
an EE Guide is ridiculously 2 hours and counting!

[XRaySpeX]

There's no such "technically" about it!

EE's traditional contracts have no concept of paying off the handset. You agreed to pay the same price for the full duration of the total bundled contract. There will however be a 10% discount 3 months after the end of min. term. You may always choose to upgrade your contract to a cheaper SIM-Only contract from the last 45 days of your contract term. That is the technicality of it!

[mmc_29]

Yeah, I get the contract point. On another note, if you understand the financial bit of the transaction, you are technically paying off the handset throughout your contract term as the price you pay every month (excluding the text/calls/data plan value) is the spread value of the mobile if you purchase it separately (approx value). That's how it works which no one from EE (or perhaps same as with other UK mobile network companies) is telling you. What I don't like with EE is that you are basically being "forced" to pay the same amount for no benefit to the customer until you're able to change to a SIM-only plan after your contract term. What's worse is, I can't even change/upgrade to a SIM-only plan via the EE app as it has always been showing an error message about "being unable to connect to the server". 

[bristolian]

EE is far from alone in structuring traditional contracts in this way.

FlexPay would seem to suit you next time you upgrade, with 2 distinct contracts, each with their own payments, for airtime & devices.

You can request a SIM-only from within 30days of your minimum term ending, and that will take effect from the day the commitment period finishes.