Pounds and Pence price increase

[MGSteve]

I've just had the email through about the price increase from March. I have 3 sim-only accounts with EE and have since around 2020, so all out of the tie-in period. 

It appears that EE have changed the way they are increasing prices, away from the CPI+ 3.9% (roughly 7% total it appears) to a flat, in my case, £2.50 a line.

However, when I work out the price under the old system, it would have 'only' gone up by 95p. So under the 'clearer for the customer' increase, they've also more than doubled the increase.

I'm not sure how they can retrospectively change a contract I've agreed to - sure, I'm out of the tie-in, but that doesn't give them the ability to change T&Cs I agreed to without my consent.

I think it's about time I changed providers, but this post is just an FYI - check it out for yourself and if you'll on more than a £35(ish) a month contract, you will be paying more under these changes. As mine are sim only, 2 are around £14 and the one is mid £20s, the fixed price increase is more than the old system.

[bristolian]

Indeed - Ofcom is the industry regulator. HM Government devolve telecoms regulation to them.

[MGSteve]

In the end after we requested our PAC codes, their 'loyalty' team reached out and offered us 125gb @ £10 and 50gb at £8. This was actually cheaper than Smarty who we were going to change to, so begrudgingly we'll stick with EE.

So monthly payment went from £58 to £26. No too bad, shame they didn't offer it before we requested the codes!

[cassmtf]

I was offered 125gb for £9 but for 24 months. But the problem is there is an increase of £2.50 this year and £2.50 next year as well. So it becomes £14 by March 2027 or so. 

[Chris_B]

@cassmtf  And it’ll be that same cost increase regardless of what tariff you choose.   If you want to make it look better get a higher cost tariff to start with.  

[cassmtf]

Exactly Chris, so there is no point in sticking to EE anymore (after 9 years). Inflation linked increase in my case is very less when compared to Pounds/Pence terms. 

[richardsoncomoy]

Not a happy bunny. I hardly use my phone and use only around 10% of my data allowance. Is there a better deal for low data users ?

I am considering switching to Plusnet

[Chris_B]

@richardsoncomoy  doesn’t matter how much you use your device you agreed to the annul price increase when you agreed to the contract.    If you’ve also been told you can terminate without charge then look for a better deal that suits your costs.   You’ll still get a yearly price increase as per the terms of that contract. 

[bristolian]

---

@richardsoncomoy wrote:

Not a happy bunny

---

I've merged your post into a lengthy thread discussing the exact same subject - do read through some of the previous posts.

As regards whether there's a better deal, much depends on your individual circumstances, usage and whether you're within the minimum-term or not. The EE website lists all the current SIM-only plans available.

[zulu17]

Well the EE website says of the changes

"This change means all our customers will benefit from a fairer, more transparent approach to pricing,"

We are already seeing that customers on the lower cost  sim only packages do feel that the fixed price amount that EE is introducing seems to be unfair.