The UK press has been full of reports that mobile phone users there are being routinely overcharged by the biggest providers.

Citizens Advice has expressed concern over the practice of continuing to charge contract customers the full price after their handset has been paid for.

Pay monthly customers typically take out a contract which bundles the cost of a new handset with an allowance of calls, minutes and data. The contract may be over a period of 12 or 24 months and the monthly charge varies according to the type of handset and the length of the contract.

The claim in the UK is that telecoms providers continue to charge the same amount after the end of the contract, by which time the handset is paid for, instead of reducing the monthly fee to cover the calls, minutes and data only.

We asked the island’s two mobile telecoms providers, Sure and Manx Telecom, whether it’s also the case here.

Alistair Beak, chief marketing officer at Sure, said: ’Sure’s current pay monthly mobile plans prioritise transparency for customers and there is a clear split between the cost of the handset and the cost of the plan.

’In direct contrast to the UK operators named in the press, all Sure plans sold since the start of this year automatically reduce at the end of the 12 or 24 month contract, ensuring the customer is not charged for a handset they have already paid for.

’The flexibility of this system also means that customers can upgrade their handset before the end of their contract if they wish, without any early termination charges, simply by paying off any outstanding cost of their current phone.

’Customers on our older plans are proactively informed that their contract is coming to an end via text message and are encouraged to come in store so our staff can advise them on what the best option is for their needs.

’If customers choose to keep their existing handset we can place them on a SIM-only plan which does not include any handset charge.

’Any customers who have legacy plans which are out of contract should come in store and speak to us. Customers who are unsure on the status of their plan can conveniently check this via their online account at any time.’

Stephen Kane, head of product consumer and corporate said: ’Manx Telecom communicates to all its pay monthly customers informing them of when their existing agreement is due to expire and offers them an opportunity to subscribe to our very latest pay monthly offers and smartphone deals.

’Customers are free to take one of our great value handsets included or SIM only offers, up to one month prior to the end of their agreement, or to continue with their existing handset on their current tariff. We are always flexible and transparent with our valued customers and strive to ensure they receive the best value service, on the island’s best 4G network.’