Can I suspend my mobile contract while deployed

watson_a220

Later this year I will be deploying to Afghanistan for 6 months. I have just signed up to an 18 month contract with O2. Does anyone know if there are any ways that mobile companies will put your contract on hold while away. I haven't managed it the last two times I went out and could do with any help available!

Sagaris

There was something on the BBC Watchdog programme about this recently - might be worth checking their website?

DH says he thinks O2 will do it - could always ring or pop into a shop and see what they say?

Link: http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/watchdog/2010/05/forces_sweetheart_goes_into_battle.html?page=8

watson_a220

Thanks for that link, very interesting. I'll give them a try and see what they say.

peteuk

Dont take this the wrong way but thats life in a blue suit....you take a contract out over a fixed period of time but then expect it to be suspened.

If a company does that for you then great but I know i will be deployed every 2 years or so. So 18 months is ok, but for others it is less, so when you sign to pay X amount for the next 18 months you know at somepoint you will be away.

The easy soluation to this is pay as you go! or drop down to the lowest tarrif available (some companies will ask you to drop a tariff a month). As for letters as supporting evidence, anyone can phone up and say im off to here stop me acount for 6 months. Thats just the company protecting itself.

Dropping tarrif was something I did when posted, as my new quater had no recpetion on my phone. I dropped to the lowest avaiable (it took me 3 months) paid the contract in full and then left for another company.

BigLee_24

Just ring them up and explain and ask if they will, when I was with o2 they suspended it for me but now Im with orange they wont..... back to o2 me thinks :rotfl:

13Kent

My OH managed to change his contract to the lowest paid one when he was away, and due to the deals they were offering at the time they ended up actually paying him money!!

pippitypip_2

I saw this and came over to post the watchdog link, lol - beaten to it by Sagaris!

Seriously though, no one's trying to get out of paying, suspending the contract is a great idea and from what I understand, most mobile companies will now do it for you.

Hope you get it sorted and easily!

BigLee - according to Watchdog, Orange do now do it (they didn't previously). See the link posted by Sagaris.

hth,
pippitypip

BigLee_24

Ah good will have to remember to phone them when am sent away