Contracts 14 October 2009 at 12:08PM in UK armed forces MoneySaving 8 replies 993 views

Hlharman

Is it true that when i go on operational tour companies that i have contracts with have to freeze my contracts? i.e moblile phone, mobile broadband. Thanks in advance

snowball1972

They don't have any legal requirement to put on hold any contracts. They might do it if you speak nicely too them though.

esmf73

I've not heard this - and I've heard of it costing people a fortune moving to Germany etc.

If you don't ask, then you won't find out.
Best of luck

matt6124

I got told by my broadband company that there would be a disconnecton charge and a reconnection charge so I was forced into paying for a service I wasnt using.

ICATQ

matt6124 wrote: »

I got told by my broadband company that there would be a disconnecton charge and a reconnection charge so I was forced into paying for a service I wasnt using.

I take it was cheaper to stay connected and unused?

Trying_to_be_good

As snowball says, ask nicely and explain it's for operational service reasons and they'll often help. Moving to Germany/Cyprus for a tour they're less likely to - as they're for longer and normally known about further in advance. I guess it's also what part of the moving grant should cover.

It's often worth checking out the company's stance on this before signing up to a legally binding contract - some of the companies are much more MOD-friendly than others (but i's a while since I've looked at it, so can't remember who, sorry). Same applies to gym membership (if you use a private one rather than a Forces facility).

cjg375

I was with Orange and when I went on deployment for 7 months they agreed to freeze the account for 6 months. I had to re-activate the account by the end of the 6 months or would be liable for cost of the remainder of the contract.

I was told that Orange are one of the few companies with a solid policy of freezing accounts.

Alias_Omega

If you cant cancel, maybe reduce to the lowest price plan for the period.

zyonchaos

If you are going on Det as already mentioned they dont have to, but if you ask nicely they might stop it or put it on a lower monthly contract for you. However if you are posted abroad or anywhere really then you get Disturbance Allowance and that is what that is for.