Roaming refresh/Free roaming removal - Full Works Plan (after Aug 2024)

[Chelsea130]

I am looking to update my sim-only deal to one of the new Full Works plans. Roaming is important to me, I also need to be able to roam in the USA. I currently have the roam abroad/further pass as a free inclusive extra (2023 all rounder tariff) so I can roam freely in the EU, USA, AUS etc..

I am reading a lot about EE making significant roaming changes next week, with all the different legacy tariffs and previous add-ons its a minefield.

Can someone from EE confirm with certainty, how the new 2024 Full Works tariffs (which include roaming, and roam further as default) will be effected by this change?

Will we benefit from added counties being free to roam in, or be stripped of the benefit. This information must be known to EE, as it goes live next week!

Another concern is being excluded form other new roaming features which may not be widely publicised, in the same was as 5G SA was locked off to existing customers. Example - VoLTE is still not officially supported by EE abroad in most countries, other networks offer this, could this be added and exclude existing customers. 

[Matt_124]

I called through to customer services yesterday to ask the question and was told they still don't have the communications to give to customers.

It's a week away, sounds crazy to me that they can't come out and state how it will affect those plans in advance. 

They've actually given better answers for the Pre-August plans by saying there'll be Inclusive Extras for it. But the 2024 All Rounder and Full Works plans already include their respective levels of roaming alongside an Inclusive Extra, so this would be a major downgrade to the plan.

Only consolation is that in the T&Cs it states Full Works customers since 29th August get the Roam Further Pass included and that the plans include EU/EEA Roaming on Essentials Plus and up. https://ee.co.uk/content/dam/help/terms-and-conditions/price-plans/mobile/ee-pay-monthly-plans-tncs-...

If anything we should maintain our current level of Roaming according to the T&Cs we agreed to.

[Schockwave]

Well, I have the full works from August 2024, and have not heard anything about any changes, doubt that will happen, but cannot say for certain. Many have received text, who have the roaming pass, that it will discontinue, but not heard of anyone on the full works  plans, only for those, who have the monthly add-on roaming plans, which are not the inclusive ones, hope it will not change.

[Matt_124]

Would be nice like the OP stated to not have to change plan again (like those who were Pre-August when 5G SA launched) to get access to the latest things like the additional roaming countries.

Still don't know what shape it'll take and it's just the uncertainty that is frustrating and has been poorly managed.

[Chelsea130]

@Schockwave  I have not received any test either (roam aboard inclusive extra)

Yes, I totally agree @Matt_124 it's been poorly managed. EE will know exactly what changes they are due to make next week, of course they do. They are choosing to hold this information back. The cynic in me says this is to encourage as many sign ups to the current black friday offers as possible. The refreshed roaming tariffs "coincidentally" go live after these offers finish.

I get it, EE are in the business of maximising their own benefit, as all businesses do. That said, some further communication could have suited everyone.

I am hoping this change affects only people paying for roaming add-ons, (this would benefit them) where as I get an inclusive extra. Hopefully the new Aug 24 Full works plan will retain it, and it will be EU and Zone 1 included. Offering us further countries. UAE would be handy.

However, If they shaft us again by gatekeeping new features / additional countries behind new tariffs only, then I will leave at renewal in Feb (VF roaming is excellent, and a lot better in the UK than they get credit for) Clearer communication would have meant I upgraded this week, but I will let it play out now.

I hope you get the resolution you want @Matt_124 

[Plymouthbloke1]

For a communication company, they’re being absolutely diabolical at communicating!! I’m on the Aug 24 Full Works too and am waiting to see what pans out. One thing is for sure, if they remove the roaming features that are bolted onto the plan then I’ll be straight on the phone arguing to cancel without penalty as it’ll be a change of T&C’s for the plan. The same as if they try and make it a selectable extra instead. I have Apple One as my one extra and I took out the Full Works plan to have Apple One and the Roaming extras all together….

[Chelsea130]

@Plymouthbloke1 Very frustrating indeed. You are correct in saying it would be a breach of terms, so likely you'd be able to exit penalty free.
However it wouldn't surprise me if there was a caveat to cover it as non-material change or something. Big corps aren't on our side, no matter how slick their marketing! 
Likelihood is it won't be removed, but it should be communicated.

However what I can see happening is not rolling out the new countries and extended offering to people on the most recent Full Works. Which isn't very "full works" at all then, is it!? To be honest if that transpires to be the case, I will most certainly return to VF.
Time will tell I suppose, thanks for your response!

[Matt_124]

Seems these queries have been separated onto their own topic by the admins, maybe that will make it a bit easier to get an update on what it means for people on the 'latest and greatest' plans who seem to have been forgotten in this change.

[Plymouthbloke1]

Nice to see that there is time to sort the threads out, but not enough time to provide answers to legitimate questions 😂

[Matt_124]

To be fair to the Community Support Team on here, it's not their fault.

Clearly most Guides haven't been given the info and can't answer without the company setting out their official advice on the change. Just really bad comms so far both internally and externally on this issue. 

The question has likely been raised internally but we won't hear until the official advice is drafted to give to customers.