Don’t overpay for your phone and broadband

When your phone contract ends, generally after two years, the mobile network may continue charging you the original subscription price, even though you’ve paid for your handset and should now only be paying for ‘airtime’ – ie, calls, texts and data.

Since February 2020, the communications regulator, Ofcom, has required all mobile providers to issue end-of-contract notifications (ECNS) to customers, to inform them when their contracts are about to end. These ECN messages must include details of the options available to you, including the network’s current deals. But three of the big four networks in the UK – EE, Three and Vodafone – won’t automatically move you to a cheaper tariff once you’re out of contract (O2, which also serves Tesco Mobile customers, is the exception). This means that if you do nothing, you’ll end up being significantly overcharged each month for a phone you now own.

To stop this happening, contact your mobile provider after or just before your contract ends and ask for a cheaper plan. If the prices it quotes are too expensive, compare the latest deals from other networks on a site such as Gocompare (www.snipca.com/44316), and consider a Sim-only plan. Request your portauthorisation code (PAC) by texting PAC to 65075, to move your phone number to your new provider (see screenshot).

Broadband providers are also required to send ECNS, so don’t just ignore these messages or you’ll end up overpaying. Any discount on your monthly subscription will expire when your contract ends, which means the price will rise considerably.