Changing to PAYG, bit clueless

SallyinWales

I have a perfectly adequate phone through a BT package that is now at the end of its initial contract period and I want to swap to a PAYG option. I was happy enough to pay the £25 a month over the first year as it gave me a decent phone, but I really only use it for emergencies and when on business trips, so I can count the number of minutes and texts used a month on one hand usually.

I've just been looking at budget plans like the Tesco Value one using one of the tarriff comparison tools recommended on this site, but I have no idea how I work out whether the phone will still work if I switch to something like that. Can anyone give me an idiots guide to what I need to do to switch to a no frills PAYG. Obviously I need to get in touch with BT and tell them I want to cancel this one, but I'm so dense about phones I need a step by step checklist to make sure I don't miss something simple that will mean the switch won't work.

Many thanks!

neil40

Hi Sally!.I was with BT Mobile on the same tariff as you but did'nt use it that much either.Cancelling your contract with them was easy.They will proberly try to get you to upgrade but if you dont want to- just be tough with them!.The good thing is that you dont have to give a months notice- they cancel you within a couple of hours and send your final bill(which could be a credit if you have'nt used all your minutes).

If its a buget tariff your after, you could'nt get much better than the tesco value or easy mobile.Buy a sim card off their website or through ebay and pop it in your phone(might have to get it unlocked first though)..........Neil

SallyinWales

Thats really helpful. This unlocking phones thing, how does that work? Is it hard to get done?

neil40

I get mine unlocked from a shop in the high street for £10.I think every town has these places springing up.They usually sell mobile accessories etc.Otherwise try BT Mobile.They may charge you though.

Any other moneysavers got any tips for unlocking?

Need_More_Money_2

SallyinWales wrote:

Thats really helpful. This unlocking phones thing, how does that work? Is it hard to get done?

Depends on what phone you have. You can usually find places online that unlock nokias - they give you a code to type in I think. For some others the phone actually needs to be connected to a PC via a special cable (Sony Ericssons need this). If you shop around the independent phone shops and any markets stalls you'll probably find somewhere that can unlock it for you for about £10. That's if it needs unlocking Does BT still use o2? I think o2 contract phones are usually unlocked already. Do you know anyone with a phone on another network who would let you borrow their SIM card for a few minutes? Just put the SIM card in your phone and see if it works.
Tesco use the o2 network, but I'm not sure if the locks are specific to the actual network (i.e o2) or the provider (tesco)

Gorgeous_George

If it's Nokia it's easily unlockable. Either way, check out this site and ask your question:
http://unlockme.co.uk/phpBB2/viewforum.php?f=2



O2 is good because they give you 300 free texts each month providing you top up with £10. (O2 Genie Card)

GG

Edinburghlass_2

If you have a Nokia needing unlocking and want the free code generated for you, place your IMEI number, Network and model of Nokia on the end of this thread and one of the helpful unlockers on MSE will give you the code for your phone.

SallyinWales

gizmoleeds wrote:

What model is the phone?

Its a Sony Ericsson. Suppose the best bet is to get the Sim and have a go!

Need_More_Money_2

SallyinWales wrote:

Its a Sony Ericsson. Suppose the best bet is to get the Sim and have a go!

Probably the best thing. If it does need unlocking you will need to get someone to do it for you as it needs a cable to connect to PC and software. You can sometimes buy these on ebay but probably cheaper to get someone to unlock it for you. If you do decide to buy a cable/software, note that there are 2 types of cable for Sony Ericsson. They changed the connector fairly recently. T610s and those of similar age are the old type. K750 and the walkman type phones are the new type