[bsuttie]

Hi, can anyone give me some advice as I've little experience with mobile phone contracts.

I took out an 18 month contract for my daughter with Orange 18 months ago which is coming to an end. She's happy with the phone, but I'd like to save some money. Currently paying £ 25 per month but her useage is pretty low so would be cheaper on pay as you go.

Can I transfer her number from contract to PAYG? Or do I need to switch to another contract? We're with Virgin for broadband / TV / phone and their £10 per month looks attractive if I have to switch providers to do this. Would presumably need to get the phone unlocked?

Also, my wife has a PAYG Vodaphone SIM. Would seem to make sense to get all of us on the same network - I have a work Orange phone. Any way to keep a number if leaving PAYG?

regards

Brian

[JuzzyD]

You can change the number to a PAYG card (my father did this with Orange a little while ago) and indeed you can change a PAYG number to a pay monthly or another providor.

If you do change providors you will most likely have to unlock the phone to use another providors sim card.

It will probably be easiest to pop into an Orange shop and run through the process with them.

[RobM]

Brian, you have two choices here really....

You can ask Orange to transfer you onto PAYG, which ends your contract at the point of change. You get to keep your number and you stay with Orange.

Or,

You ask Orange for your PAC code and you then go to any other network of your choice. The PAC code ensures you keep your number.

Something worth looking into is the SIM-Only contracts offered by Vodafone and O2 (I'm sure the other networks offer this too, but I've not looked myself). They are a 30-day contract, are cheaper than the equivalent 12/28/24-month contract and still give you free minutes and messages per month. You don't get a handset as part of the contract, but you can cancel at any time with just 30 days notice and the line rental is cheaper. No need to worry about credit either!

I would then recommend buying a Turbo SIM to unlock your current handset for use on another network. I've just bought a phone that's locked to Orange (Nokia 6500 Slide Black) and the Turbo SIM allows me to use my Vodafone SIM card in it no problem

[bsuttie]

Thank you both, that's great.

Brian

[dave690]

hi i have just done a SIM-Only contract offered by O2 had no probs seting it up. all i did was make a phone call to the carphone warehouse,they did the rest.
its on a 30-day contract,it is costing me £20 a month for 400mins+500texts.
i was paying £35 per month.
i had came to the end off my 12 month contract and said that i did not want to upgrade as i am happy with my phone (samsung u600)
i can now wait for a phone that i may like in the furture,hope this helps dave

[kez]

for £25 a month vodafone do 500 mins and unlimited texts (sim only 30 day contract)

There are many options with 'Sim Only' from various providers. But I would warn you against going with Orange. They have the worst customer service in my opinion.

They set sim only connection quickly for me after I provided the docs needed. But, within weeks they barred all calls to and from my number without even notifying! After a few days when my friends started complaining about my mobile , I realised the problem. To add to the misery, even customer support number was banned! So, I was forced to ring a premium line with a long waiting time. They say they have problems with my adrress proof and I was asked to fax them. They don't respond and I called them about 15 times to get a different status each time! It went on inspite of my visits to local Orange shop with all the original proofs! They just keep asking for proofs and they don't even get back if you fax them. You will have to keep calling the premium number so many times and pay from your pocket! I was without a connection for a good 3 weeks and it was fixed only after I started screaming in the local orange shop. 3 of my friends have narrated very similar stories.

[and6868]

My wifes dolphin 35 for £35 a month was due up last month 600 mins and 200 texts. She never used the full amount. Spoke to customer services and after a bit of negotiating got the racoon 30 for £15 a month, thats 400 mins and 100 texts. Its an 18 month contract just speak to orange and see what you can get.
Andrew

[Ayub]

Originally Posted by bsuttie

Hi, can anyone give me some advice as I've little experience with mobile phone contracts.

I took out an 18 month contract for my daughter with Orange 18 months ago which is coming to an end. She's happy with the phone, but I'd like to save some money. Currently paying £ 25 per month but her useage is pretty low so would be cheaper on pay as you go.

Can I transfer her number from contract to PAYG? Or do I need to switch to another contract? We're with Virgin for broadband / TV / phone and their £10 per month looks attractive if I have to switch providers to do this. Would presumably need to get the phone unlocked?

Also, my wife has a PAYG Vodaphone SIM. Would seem to make sense to get all of us on the same network - I have a work Orange phone. Any way to keep a number if leaving PAYG?



Brian

Hi Brian, I'm with Virgin. 300 Mins 300 Text £10 SIM ONLY and if you are not a virgin customer they charge a little more. I think its a deal you should look into. You can port your number to them or they give you a good number all my friends have gone to virgin and we all have 07505 121 *** numbers.