Help for a technophobe please!

jennyjelly

First, please be nice to me as I don't have the first clue about mobile phones and all the 'stuff' that people talk about just sounds like white noise to me. I'd be really grateful if someone could explain something to me in words of one syllable as if I am of extremely low intelligence.

My son has a Vodafone pay as you go mobile but I've discovered that now he has suddenly developed a social life nearly all his money is going on credit - he admits to £15 a week so it's probably double that. Obviously this is not cost effective.

I've done a bit of googling and came across a sim only deal which will probably be enough for his needs, but it's on O2, so presumeably he couldn't use his existing phone, but I'm not sure how to buy an O2 phone for it (would I need a contract phone, and if so how do I know which one is right, or would a PAYG one do?). So basically I have 2 questions:

1. If he wants to keep his Vodafone PAYG phone do I just order a Vodafone sim only deal and know it will work?

2. If he changes to O2 because they offer a better deal what sort of phone do I need to buy? Budget is a major factor unfortunately as he loses phones on a regular basis.

Sorry to sound so old and stupid, but a bit of advice would be much appreciated!

will-in-estoril

If the handset is locked it will only take a sim card of the same network; if it is unlocked it will take any sim card. Try and see.

Make sure you can control the costs.

Look at Tesco Mobile, which is essentially a partnership with 02, as they have some good pay as you go deals.

http://www.tesco.com/mobilenetwork/payasyougo.aspx?page=4

jennyjelly

Thank you for your reply.

So can any phone be used for any type of payment as long as it's on the same network (unless it's unlocked)? I didn't know if certain phones were for PAYG and others for contract, or if they are all the same and it just depends on how you want to use them?

Also, how can I tell if a phone is locked without buying the sim to try it?

Sorry to be dense!

will-in-estoril

I would stick to pay-as-you-go. If you go down the contract route you will get a bill each month. Need I say more?

If a phone is locked you can normally get it unlocked at your local market.

Your son can keep his phone number if he changes network. More of that later.

You need to decide on a network, get the sim and try it. If the handset is locked a message will appear saying (eg) 'insert correct sim'. If this happens off to your market stall!

jennyjelly

Ah I see, it's all becoming clear now!

TBH I don't think I would feel completely comfortable with a contract unless there is a way of setting a limit which I can understand the phone companies wouldn't be keen to do.

Someone at work is always banging on about Asda mobile so I just had a look at that and it seems pretty cheap. Apparently it's done by Vodafone.

So now I'm just going to read up on Asda v. Tesco and make my decision. Job done. I still find it all very confusing though so I'm glad to just be keeping it simple!

Thanks for the help.

will-in-estoril

If your son is spending £15-30 then Asda Mobile will probably not be the best option. It is aimed more at the low user end of the market: 8p calls/4p texts.

Tesco Mobile have a direct equivalent (Tesco Mobile Lite) so you should avoid that too.

Their payg bonus tariff is very good. You probably need to do some number crunching.
No doubt other posters will give you more options, so not something you need to rush into.