Apropos the UK...it depends on the contract and how the phone is financed. Here's an example of EE's (UK company) "Pay Monthly Terms": https://ee.co.uk/content

Apropos the UK...it depends on the contract and how the phone is financed. Here's an example of EE's (UK company) "Pay Monthly Terms": https://ee.co.uk/content/dam/ee-help/help-pdfs/pay-monthly-network-terms-october-2018.pdf https://ee.co.uk/content/dam/ee-help/help-pdfs/pay-monthly-n... Section 10 explains ownership: Starting with...Section 10.1: "You may get Equipment from Us directly when You take out a Price Plan, whether for free or for an upfront cost. Unless We tell You otherwise, or You get Equipment under a Finance Agreement, We will own any Equipment provided to You by Us for the first six months of the Minimum Term." ...and it goes on.