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Mobiles

Need help choosing the best value contract, SIM-only deal or PAYG?

Found a provider that ain't increasing bills in March
Hi Guys, I have been looking for ways to minimise bills for my families mobiles with the new bill increases most providers are bringing in in March or April Long story short I was with O2 and the Missus was with Plusnet and the daughter is with Talkmobile so I have been looking for ways to lock in our bills so we don't…
MSE News: Tesco Mobile to hike prices by 14.4% for some pay monthly customers in April
Out of contract pay monthly Tesco Mobile customers whose contracts expired before 1 February 2023 will see their mobile bills increase this spring by 14.4%, the mobile provider has announced. Going forward, you'll also need a Clubcard to avoid mid-contract price rises. Read the full story: 'Tesco Mobile to hike prices by…
SIM for use in USA for occasional calls to USA and to UK
Hi I'm going on a trip to USA for approx 3 weeks. I'm after a cheap SIM for use in USA to make calls in USA to USA and also to UK. I don't envisage making long calls or many, just to confirm hotels or excursions. Can anybody suggest a cheap SIM for use in dual SIM phone. Thanks
O2 Bill and Credit - VAT question
Hi there I have a query and no idea as to where to direct it, so maybe you might be able to assist? Issue - O2 Bill - incorrect VAT calculation? BackgroundMoved from Virgin mobile to O2 and the porting was a nightmare, leaving me with no mobile for 5 days - as a 'gesture of goodwill, o2 credited my bill with £10My tariff…
A big GiffGaff Gaff - porting two numbers
Hi my wife and I left Tesco mobile this week (mistake#1) owing to loss of price freeze announced this week. Giffgaff started the porting process for both our phones. 48hrs later we don’t have our Tesco numbers and I’m losing clients consequently. I did consider giving my giffgaff temporary number to my business clients and…
Quick Lycamobile PAC process question
I'm just looking at their form on the website at the moment. Where it says 'New Number' is this the temporary phone number they give you? Or does it mean the number you want to use going forwards (so for me it's my existing one from my old provider, not the new one)? Also where it says 'Lyca Mobile SIM Number' is it asking…
New battery or new phone?
Hi My Samsung Galaxy S7 is probably getting on for 5-6 years old and runs Android 8.0. It’s been looked after but battery seems to run down quicker than it used to, even with battery saving on. I’m on a EE SIM only plan (bought phone outright) but this has now expired so now on rolling monthly which doesn’t work out much…
general android mobile phone battery question
High 5 All, I'm aware of mobile phones as a non user.I'm challenged to find any android phones with user replaceable batteries. Huawei for example saty oh....it is far to dangerous for mear end users to change a mobile phone battery on their own. I find this trully strange, my cordless phone every couple of years needs new…
SIM Only v Phone Included.
I have been thinking about replacing my phone recently, and normally buy the phone then get a SIM only deal, but can't quite stretch to a new phone at the moment. Years ago it used to be a lot cheaper to just buy the phone yourself, does this still hold true today? If I did a deal with Vodaphone (for instance) and had what…
Leaky Lebara? (or is it MSE?)
I get a lot of spam - who doesn't? But what I don't get is spam trying to sell me mobile phones or mobile services. That was until half an hour after signing up for a Lebara SIM via the latest MSE special deal, earlier today. Since then I have had a small stream of them. So which, if ether, of these two is leaking…
Sim Card for Caribbean Cruise
Hello We are lucky enough to be going on a cruise next month - I did have an International SIM card with credit on it which due to lack of travel in the last few years and being able to use my EE account in the States has now gone awol !!- The provider still operates but due to moving to Esims can't supply me with a…
Closure of EE Signal Box Service
EE is closing its Signal Box service https://ee.co.uk/help/help-new/general/signal-box/improve-your-signal-at-home-using-signal-box. Other networks have something similar and are all withdrawing them. I have a very weak 4G signal which is not good enough for calls and WiFi calling is unreliable as it often cuts out when it…
Ignore
Thanks to everyone for their help with my phone/PAC query today, you lovely lot. To save anyone else's time I'm scrubbing the post now. Go well x
Goodbye Virgin
My wife has had an £8.50 per month contract with Virgin for 10 years + on a SIM only 1Gb contract (I know !)Due to the 17.3% rise - we want to change suppliersShe is happy with the actual network but NOT the priceThe network - is it Vodafone or O2 ?If its O2 - why is it so much better than my own Tesco connection ? She…
Receive the call while I am aborad ?
Hi, I am three user and my phone number is linked to the door bell. I am going to travel for 2months and want to only receive the phone call from UK to UK number while I am aborad to international country(not UK/EU). Could you share any tips? I don't want to spend any data to avoid extra charge and only need to receive the…
Sim card for several countriies
I want a sim card that works with one number in different countries, in particular South. Africa and US. My supplier Virgin tells me that is impossible, even if I pay extra. Currently I buy local sim cards which are inconvenient and expire after a period without use Any ideas?
Leave on last day?
My mobile contract is finished in about 6 weeks. I want to leave on that day and start with a competitor. How do I arrange that timing? Can I give notice to my current network provider now? or do I need to do it on the day that is exactly 30 (or 31) days from the last day? Or do I even need to give notice? Can I shop for a…
Charging mobiles
I've heard/read about not charging overnight and charging to only 80%. What is the score, why not overnight and why to only 80%? TIA
CPI Increase on new contract
Hi - I'm coming to the end of my 3 contract and am happy with my phone. I want to swap onto a sim only plan. While I would consider moving supplier, 3 are willing to match the best deal I can find on comparison sites that suits my usage and I'm happy to stay with them on this basis. I am hugely confused about when the CPI…
Is it worth paying off my contract early?
Hi I’m currently with Vodaphone and am contracted with them until this October. I’ve been toying with the idea of paying off what’s left of my contract just before the start of April and swapping over to Lebara. I’ve just got a settlement figure and it’s approx £400 at the moment. I’ve worked out that the price rise in…

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MSE News

Lloyds, Halifax and Bank of Scotland to cut overdraft rates for millions but hike them for others – here's what's happening and full help
If you're a Lloyds, Halifax or Bank of Scotland current account holder, the interest rate you're charged for using your overdraft could change soon as part of a fees shake-up. The Lloyds Banking Group, which owns all three brands, says millions of its customers will pay less after the changes – but a "few" will pay more.
Warm Home Discount expansion confirmed with millions more eligible for the £150 top-up this winter – here's what we know
Around 2.7 million more low-income households, including 900,000 families with children, will become eligible for the £150 Warm Home Discount this winter, as the Government has confirmed it will remove the existing 'hard to heat' eligibility criteria. The extension has only been confirmed for winter 2025/26, with further changes possible for future years.
Martin Lewis: At last a chance to fix Council Tax flaws impacting millions – debt collection, difficulty challenging your band, discounts and more
Major flaws in the Council Tax system in England could finally be fixed in future, as the Government has launched a wide-ranging consultation to review hideous debt collection practices, the difficulty of challenging your band, the overly complex and horribly-named Severe Mental Impairment discount and more. MoneySavingExpert.com founder Martin Lewis, who has long campaigned on these issues, shares his response and analysis.
Energy complaints to be dealt with more quickly and Energy Ombudsman to get new powers under Government plans
If you have a complaint about your energy firm, it may be resolved more quickly in future, as the Government has announced a raft of proposals to strengthen consumer protections in the energy market. The planned changes include giving the Energy Ombudsman new powers to force firms to comply with its decisions – but it's still very early days. Here's what we know so far.
Warm Home Discount expansion confirmed with millions more eligible for the £150 top-up this winter – here's what we know
Around 2.7 million more households, including 900,000 families with children, will become eligible for the £150 Warm Home Discount this winter, as the Government has confirmed it will remove the existing 'hard to heat' eligibility criteria. The extension has only been confirmed for winter 2025/26, with further changes possible for future years.
Base rate held at 4.25% – here's what it means and when it might be cut next
The Bank of England has held the base rate at 4.25%. Below we explain why, when it might be cut, plus what it means for your mortgage and savings.
Applied for South West Trains 'boundary fares' compensation? Act now to claim it
If you applied for compensation from South West Trains before the deadline in January 2025, you now need to provide your bank details to the claim administrator so it can be paid to you. Here's what you need to know.
Winter Fuel Payments to be reinstated for millions – Martin Lewis explains how it'll work, what it means and if it's an improvement
All State Pensioners in England and Wales will receive a Winter Fuel Payment this winter, though those who earn over £35,000 will see it clawed back through the tax system. It means nine million pensioners will get the £200 or £300 top-up. Here MoneySavingExpert.com founder Martin Lewis shares his instant response and analysis, and we include answers to your key questions.
Winter Fuel Payments to be reinstated for millions – Martin Lewis explains how it'll work, what it means and if it's an improvement
All State Pensioners in England and Wales will receive a Winter Fuel Payments this winter, though those who earn over £35,000 will see it clawed back through the tax system. It means nine million pensioners will get the £200 or £300 top-up. Here MoneySavingExpert.com founder Martin Lewis shares his instant response and analysis, and we include answers to your key questions.

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Mobiles

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