Updated: What happens to someone’s UK mobile phone account when they die?

It has previously been difficult to extract information from UK mobile operators on their policies around account closure or contract cancellation for next of kin managing the estate of someone who has died.

In 2014, asides from O2 who came back straight away with a clearly thought through policy, other operators while helpful, were ambiguous in their response on whether or not they would expect next of kin or family to cover the costs of the remaining months and/or handset under contract. Three’s response was both unhelpful and unclear, I suspect, because they didn’t have a policy in place.

In 2015, all operators’ policies are clearer in their approach with more clarity around matters including what happens to outstanding bills and handsets.

Here’s a line up of the major UK mobile operators and what they outlined as their account closing policies for someone who has died.