Ee Customer Benefits And Promotional Offers Streaming Services Hardware Perks And Network Advantages

EE, one of the UK's leading mobile network providers, offers various promotional benefits and freebies to its customers. These offerings range from streaming service subscriptions to hardware add-ons and network-specific advantages. This article examines the array of benefits available to EE customers, eligibility requirements, and how these compare to competitors in the mobile market.

Introduction to EE Customer Benefits

EE has established itself as a prominent mobile network provider in the UK, recognized for its network performance and customer benefits. The company regularly offers promotional incentives to both new and existing customers, which can include complimentary subscriptions, hardware accessories, and enhanced network features. These benefits are typically tied to specific mobile plans or contract terms, with varying eligibility requirements depending on the promotion.

Streaming Service Freebies

One of the most popular categories of EE customer benefits includes complimentary access to various streaming entertainment platforms. These offerings provide added value to mobile plans without requiring additional subscriptions.

Apple TV+ Promotion

EE offers customers three months of free Apple TV+ access as part of its promotional benefits. This offering is available to both new and existing EE customers who have a pay monthly or SIM only phone plan with a minimum term of 12 months. The free subscription appears on customer bills in the 'included with EE' section during the promotional period.

To activate this benefit, customers can text 'TV PLUS' to 150, after which EE sends a six-month free activation code. Customers then need to log into their EE account, navigate to Plan & Add-ons > Add-ons > Apple TV+, and follow the instructions provided by EE. After the three-month promotional period ends, Apple TV+ appears on the bill in the 'entertainment' section as a charge.

Other Streaming Options

While Apple TV+ is explicitly mentioned in the source materials as an EE offering, other sources indicate that EE customers may have access to various streaming services as part of their plans. The source materials mention that EE provides "data-free access to a range of subscription services," though specific services beyond Apple TV+ are not detailed in the provided information.

Hardware and Device Freebies

In addition to streaming services, EE and its partner networks occasionally offer physical hardware items as promotional incentives with certain phone contracts.

PlayStation VR Promotion

Vodafone, a competitor network, has offered a free PlayStation VR set worth £259 with the purchase of a Sony Xperia 1 phone. This promotion included a VR starter pack with a PS VR Headset, PlayStation Camera, and PlayStation VR Worlds. The contract for this promotion was priced at £63 per month with a £29 upfront cost for the 128GB storage model of the phone.

While this specific promotion is attributed to Vodafone rather than EE directly, it indicates the type of hardware incentives that mobile networks in the UK market have offered to customers.

Other Hardware Incentives

The source materials mention that mobile network providers including EE have offered various hardware incentives such as "smart watches and AirPods" as part of their contract deals. However, specific details about current or past EE hardware promotions are not provided in the source materials.

Network-Specific Benefits

EE provides several network-specific benefits that differentiate its service from competitors. These advantages relate to data usage, roaming capabilities, and additional network features.

Data Benefits

EE customers have the ability to gift data to other EE customers, providing flexibility in data usage. This feature allows customers to share their data allowance with friends or family members who are also on the EE network.

The company also offers data-free access to various subscription services, meaning that using these applications does not count toward the customer's data allowance. While specific services are not detailed in the source materials, this represents a significant value-add for customers who frequently use streaming, music, or other data-intensive applications.

Roaming Benefits

EE has recently reintroduced free EU roaming as part of its service offerings. This benefit had not been standard for EE customers since mid-2021, but the company has since reinstated this feature as part of its network improvements.

Additionally, EE has eliminated 5G download limits, allowing customers to utilize the full speed capabilities of EE's 5G network without throttling or restrictions on data usage. This change represents an enhancement to the company's network offerings, particularly for customers in areas with strong 5G coverage.

Wi-Fi Calling

EE customers can make calls via Wi-Fi, a feature that provides improved call quality and connectivity in areas with weak cellular signal but strong Wi-Fi coverage. This functionality is available across all EE plans and does not require additional activation or fees.

Comparison to Competitor Networks

When evaluating EE's customer benefits against competitors, several factors emerge from the source materials.

Network Performance

EE has been voted the UK's top network by RootMetrics for ten consecutive years, a significant achievement that highlights the company's network performance and reliability. This recognition suggests that EE's service quality may justify its typically higher pricing compared to some competitors.

Pricing Considerations

The source materials indicate that EE "tends to ask for more money from its customers than other networks," suggesting that its plans may be priced at a premium point compared to competitors like Vodafone, Three, and O2. However, third-party retailers such as Mobiles.co.uk and Carphone Warehouse sometimes offer deals on EE plans with more favorable pricing and generous data allowances.

Transition Benefits for Existing Customers

Customers switching from BT Mobile to EE may retain certain benefits under specific circumstances. BT Mobile customers who previously received TNT Sports (formerly BT Sports) as a free addon may lose this benefit when transferring to EE, unless they have a BT broadband connection which provides a 10% discount on EE mobile plans.

This discount can help offset the cost of losing the TNT Sports addon, though the financial benefit would depend on the specific EE plan selected. Customers can access this discount by logging into www.bt.com/mybt, clicking on mobile, and following the prompts to the EE store to complete their order.

Eligibility and Activation Requirements

The various EE benefits and freebies come with specific eligibility requirements and activation processes:

1. Streaming Services: Benefits like Apple TV+ typically require an EE pay monthly or SIM only plan with a minimum term of 12 months. Activation usually involves sending a specific text code to a designated number (e.g., 'TV PLUS' to 150) and following the subsequent instructions.

2. Hardware Promotions: These are generally tied to specific phone models or contract terms, with varying data allowances and monthly costs.

3. Network Benefits: Features like data gifting, Wi-Fi calling, and EU roaming are typically available across most EE plans without additional activation requirements.

4. Promotional Periods: Many freebies, particularly streaming services, have time-limited promotional periods after which standard charges apply.

Conclusion

EE offers a range of benefits and promotional incentives to its customers, including streaming service subscriptions, network advantages, and occasionally hardware add-ons. While the company's plans may be priced at a premium compared to some competitors, its network performance and the added value of these benefits may justify the cost for many consumers.

The most consistently available benefits include data gifting, Wi-Fi calling, and free EU roaming, with periodic promotions offering complimentary access to streaming services like Apple TV+. Customers considering EE should evaluate their specific needs against these benefits, particularly if they frequently use streaming services, travel within the EU, or share data with other household members.

For existing customers, staying informed about limited-time promotions and regularly reviewing their plan benefits can help maximize the value of their EE service. Similarly, customers switching from other networks should carefully consider which benefits they would lose and how the new EE offerings compare to their previous service.

Sources

1. Freebies You Can Get With a Phone Contract
2. TNT Sports Free Addon if I Move
3. EE's Biggest Shake-up in Years
4. Best Apple TV Offers
5. How to Use URL Segments in Craft
6. EE Phone Deals
7. Elite Eleven Sporting FAQs