Is Tesco's Pay as You Go any good?

redux

very_skint wrote:

I have only just really noticed through testing that this works fine for calls to landline numbers but does not work to mobile numbers.

My question is:
Is there a similar method or number that I could add to one of my 3 favourite numbers which would allow the discounted price to mobile numbers?

I think you have just come to the nub of the discussion that mobilegossip and I were having - Simply-Fone dumped this coverage some time ago.

I stick with what I said before, about using other similar providers, and think about using 18185 for weekends, and in case these companies also drop UK mobiles from their coverage.

Two others are Victorconnect and Yourcallworld; be wary though that some of their website comments about which networks allow use of inclusive minutes to their access numbers are rather less than clear, perhaps almost evasive.

When I was discussing European mobiles, this includes UK mobiles. If they continue their present policy, you would be able to call UK mobiles via these on weekdays at your favourite number cheaper rate, whereas as I have said already, S-F dumped this possibility months ago. Just don't count on it lasting though.

I'd also consider registering your phone number with 18185 and using their London access number as another favourite, thus weekend calls to mobiles would only add 2p per minute, and 5p weekdays if the other method dries up.

I'd say take a look at Yourcallworld. It lists all UK mobiles on weekdays bar '3' , and you can also use to about 200 countries and 100 countries' mobiles; it's worked ok for me in limited use (about 12 calls to 4 European mobiles)

very_skint

I'd also consider registering your phone number with 18185 and using their London access number as another favourite, thus weekend calls to mobiles would only add 2p per minute, and 5p weekdays if the other method dries up.

I have recently registered for 18185 mainly for my home phone but did also add my mobile number just incase I wanted to use the service from my mobile.

If I used the service from my tesco mobile, the call should be re-routed through 18185 and the call charges would obviously be billed to my 18185 account for payment later but would there still be a charge from tesco? I guess there is no need or point to add 18185 as a favourite number?

virgo17

very_skint wrote:

If I used the service from my tesco mobile, the call should be re-routed through 18185 and the call charges would obviously be billed to my 18185 account for payment later but would there still be a charge from tesco? I guess there is no need or point to add 18185 as a favourite number?

You can't call 18185 from a mobile. It will tell you it is not recognised. The only way to use these companies is if they have a normal landline or mobile type number.

V.

pricefighter

18185 is a landline code cant be used from mobile.Access from a mobile is via an 020 or 0808 number. Best way if you wanted to use 18185 would be to register the 020 7001 9725 as a best friend also. A different set of prices apply to normal 1899 if you use this service see : http://www.18185.co.uk/mobilerates.php (So you would pay 10p a minute to O2 to call it,plus a 4p connection charge and the call costs to 18185.)

So a cross network uk mobile call on 18185 at weekends using this method would cost you in total 12p minute plus 4p connection.During the week use the 07744 supplier suggested by redux for x-net mobile calls,as its cheaper at 10p a minute then the 18185 method,which would cost you in total 20p a minute plus 4p connection.

very_skint

Thank you for replying in layman terms, it certainly does help. I understand now that it would really be a waste of money.

redux

Sorry for not being clearer about using 18185's London number.

I was thinking of the 18185 partly for weekend use to mobiles, when the 07744 providers cannot cover these calls from their revenue, and partly to hedge against the 07744 possibility not lasting. If that happens, it would be worthwhile for landline use all the time, and for mobiles at weekends.

Sorry that it is becoming so complicated. This is partly why I think I'd have stayed with O2 myself. The £10 bundle gets 100 minutes, and is available for further calls at from 5p per minute.

schiff

I've got interested in the Tesco Value SIM at £1.73 (plus £10 airtime for £5 on signing up), via advertising that came through the door.

Their website says nothing about any time-limit for using up one's credit and topping up, nor texts at 5p being restricted to just 3 numbers. Which isn't very open and honest of them if in fact restrictions apply. But that tends to be par for the course with many retailers.

In fact, just prior to finding this thread, I had e-mailed them on those topics and a couple more!

very_skint

Their website says nothing about any time-limit for using up one's credit and topping up, nor texts at 5p being restricted to just 3 numbers. Which isn't very open and honest of them if in fact restrictions apply. But that tends to be par for the course with many retailers.

I hope I havent missed something. As you may be aware due to this thread I am in the process of changing from o2 to Tesco mobile myself. ( due to go live today).

Just wanted to point a few things out that I have noticed whilst researching into this.

There are two Tesco mobile tariffs 'Tesco Mobile' and 'Tesco Mobile Value'

All texts on the value tariff are 5p each and you cannot have 3 favourite numbers. You cannot do picture (mms) or GPRS.

For a side by side comparison please see: http://www.tescomobile.com/tariff.aspx

I hope this helps

pricefighter

schiff wrote:

I've got interested in the Tesco Value SIM at £1.73 (plus £10 airtime for £5 on signing up), via advertising that came through the door.

Their website says nothing about any time-limit for using up one's credit and topping up, nor texts at 5p being restricted to just 3 numbers. Which isn't very open and honest of them if in fact restrictions apply. But that tends to be par for the course with many retailers.

In fact, just prior to finding this thread, I had e-mailed them on those topics and a couple more!

The T&C of the service are here which clearly mention at 5.4 that you have to use service every six months.: http://www.tescomobile.com/help/serviceTermsAndConditions.aspx

The Value sim does not restrict you to texts to 3 numbers at 5p.Its the normal sim that only allows you to text 3 friends for 5p.To compare the two services see: http://www.tescomobile.com/tariff.aspx

The full Value Tariff info is here: http://www.tescomobile.com/valuesim.aspx?pc=22&us=1&h=1

-1-

Sister is with Tesco mobile, has been for 2+ years, she's never had any problems.

No problems with reception either.