Mobile CPI Plus Price Changes

If you’d like to work out the estimated increase to any of the plans on your account, use our handy price calculator. 

> View changes to add-on and out-of-bundle charges in the non-standard charges price guide

> View standard pay monthly plans terms and conditions

What is CPI?

CPI is the most used and reliable measure to track inflation – it compares the cost of a selection of goods (food, clothes, travel etc.) from one year to the next. A new rate is published monthly by the Office for National Statistics, and we always use the December rate, published in January, for our price change.

There’s lots more info on CPI on the Office for National Statistics website, just visit https://www.ons.gov.uk/

Why is EE increasing prices?

Like businesses across the country, our costs are increasing. In fact, many of our costs are going up by a lot more than the rate of inflation. For example, our energy bill has increased by 80% over the past year, and the cost of our Home Hubs has risen by more than 20% since 2021. This is part of the reason we add 3.9% onto the rate of inflation when we update our prices every year, to ensure we can cover these increases. 

We are also investing more than ever to provide customers with the best experience and service possible. That means continually improving our networks, products and customer service to give even better value. 

We know our customers are more reliant on our services to keep them connected than ever before. In the UK we are some of the biggest data users in Europe – and usage has been increasing by as much as 50% each year recently. It is essential to always be connected, whether you’re working from home, gaming with friends, bingeing the latest boxsets or simply keeping in touch with loves ones. 

Yet, on average, the price customers pay for their mobile and broadband connections makes up just 3.8% of their household spend. This means these latest price changes will cost an average of just over £1 extra a week for most people with a broadband or mobile plan.

We’ve got the best networks in the UK and we’re investing to keep up with the demand for data, which has trebled in the last five years. And we’re expanding the reach of our next generation networks to bring the fastest speeds to more of the UK.

How does the 2023 price change affect me?

We’ll send you an email, an SMS or a letter to explain what this means for you. We’re sending these communications out between the start of February and the end of March. In there, you’ll find a personalised explanation of what’s happening to your plan(s).

If you’d like to work out the increase to any of the plans on your account, you can use our handy price calculator. You can also use this to calculate any increases to your impacted add-ons and out-of-bundle charges. We apply the increase to all elements individually and then add them all together. Due to rounding you may see a slight difference between your actual price shown on your bill and the price shown in your notification or calculator. This difference shouldn’t be more than a few pennies a month and the amount on your bill is the final and correct charge. You can log into ee.co.uk/EE to see more information on your price plan.

How can I make smart savings?

We offer a range of products and services to keep giving our customers better value - like Data Gifting, Stay Connected Data, Airtime Rewards, and Inclusive Extras like Netflix, Apple Music and Roaming passes. We help families save on their mobile bills with discounts for multiple devices. And if you add broadband, you can save 10% on your Mobile plan. 

How is EE helping customers who need extra support?

We understand that everyone needs to stay connected, whether that’s over the phone, or through broadband, and we’re committed to doing our very best to ensure our customers get the support they need, when they need it and in the way they need.

If you’re receiving state benefits you may be eligible for one of our mobile or broadband social tariffs:

• EE Basics

• BT Home Essentials

• EE customers who are eligible for BT Home Essentials can switch over without waiting for their renewal date, at no extra charge. Simply call 0800 079 5122, and we’ll handle the rest.

You can find more information about the extra help we provide for customers who are concerned about money here.

Why did we move from RPI to CPI? 

At EE we have traditionally used RPI to calculate annual price increases, however as of 1 September 2020 we introduced new terms and conditions across the BT Group (which EE is part of). All our customers will receive an annual price increase in line with the Consumer Price Index published in January, plus 3.9%. 

CPI measures inflation by taking a basket of goods (food, clothes, travel etc.) and looking at what they cost last year, looking at what they cost now, and finding the difference. However, unlike RPI, CPI leaves the costs of your housing out of the basket (rises in mortgage payments, rents, and council tax) so they don’t get reflected in it.  CPI is now more commonly used as a measure of inflation in the UK than RPI. 

Customers whose contract started before 1 September 2020, and were in contract as of the 1 April 2022, and have previously been subject to RPI increases will be moved to new terms which include a CPI plus 3.9% increase from 31 March 2023.

What is an add-on?

An add-on is a package of minutes, messages, data or services you can buy. Our mobile add-ons will be increasing in line with the CPI rate of inflation published in January, plus 3.9%. 

You can find details of any active add-ons you may have on your latest EE bill or in EE app. Add-ons for consumer plans can be found here and small business plans can be found here.

What is an out-of-bundle charge?

As part of your price plan you’ll get a call, text and data allowance. There are restrictions on where and how you use these e.g., calls will be restricted to UK mobile networks and UK landlines starting with 01, 02 & 03. 

When you go over or outside of these limits you’ll be charged according to our standard rates. These are also known as “out-of-bundle” charges such as calling to and from abroad. These will be increasing by the CPI rate of inflation published in January, plus 3.9%. 

Our out-of-bundle charges for consumer plans can be found here and small business plans can be found here.

Will my spend cap be impacted?

No, it will not be impacted. Your spend cap will not change. However, you may want to review your spend cap amount to make sure you can continue with the service for charges that are not included within your allowance.  

How can I find my terms and conditions?

You can find your EE terms and conditions here and for small business plans your terms and conditions are here.

How have you calculated the increases?

The price change is in-line with your terms and conditions which are linked to CPI. The increase is calculated using the December CPI rate (published in January), plus 3.9%, and adding this % amount to the price of your plan. 

The change to the price you pay for your plan(s) will take account of discounts you get. A higher price increase may be incurred if your discounts expire, and your monthly price goes up before the increase is applied. We apply the increase to all elements individually and then add them all together. Due to rounding you may see a slight difference between your actual price shown on your bill and the price shown in your notification or calculator. This difference shouldn’t be more than a few pennies a month and the amount on your bill is the final and correct charge. You can log into ee.co.uk/EE to see more information on your price plan.  

Your add-ons and out-of-bundle charges will be also be increasing in-line with the December CPI rate of 10.5% published in January, plus 3.9%.

When does this change happen?

The increase to your monthly price plan(s), add-ons, out-of-bundle charges will take place on or after 31 March. You will be able to see your new charges starting from your bill on or after 31 March.

What happens if I upgrade?

When you decide to upgrade, you’ll be advised about how the annual price increase will impact your price plan and other products. All customers upgrading will be subject to a CPI plus 3.9% increase based on their terms and conditions. 

What happens if I’m an EE Mobile Pay-As-You-Go customer?

The price of EE Pay As You Go tariffs and out-of-bundle charges are excluded from the CPI plus 3.9% price change in March 2023.  You can find out more about Pay As You Go prices here.