Cheap Mobile Contracts Article Discussion

jenniferamy

Hi - I just wanted to share...


I compared deals for a Sony Xperia Z1 a couple of months ago and found that the cheapest contracts available at that point were around £50 a month for 2 years (£1200).


I found that I could purchase the phone direct from Sony for £470 (£60 cheaper than CPW) and get a PAYG SIM card from Three. 1p per MB, 2p per SMS and 3p per minute calls. Making the most of WIFI and apps such as FB Messenger and Skype, I have used around £2 a month! Over 2 years I will have paid out £520, that's a saving of £680!


If you can afford the upfront payout for a shiny new phone, do it. You'll save yourself a fortune in the long run.

alexlg

Mobile contract runs out tomorrow. Arghh! I've been paying £10/month with Three on their 'Talk 900' tariff (which they adjusted down to keep me as a customer 2 years ago).
Went through my last 3 months' worth of bills and my average mins are less than 500 but maxed at 520 in May. Texts are low - max 86 in March. Data was high (max 999 in April!) but that was because my car radio broke and I was using the internet radio on my smartphone; car radio now fixed (and my average MBs over past year were nearer 500).
It looked like £10 GiffGaff would be the best option for me but the 500 min limit would be a bit tight. No matter: I could probably weight-watch those minutes.
Armed with these facts, I called my current provider back and told them what I was going to do. So they have offered me a 12-month Sim-only contract: 'Essential Internet 600' with a £3/month loyalty discount. Ie it usually costs £12.90 and I'm getting it for £9.90!
600 mins (includes voicemail but so did my previous package and it fits in), 300 Three-Three mins, 5000 texts (I wish I could sell these off to someone who actually needs them!!) and 1GB of data.
I know (from experience) that Three isn't the best but coverage is 'ok' and improving so I'm satisfied. I don't live anywhere remote. I was prepared to change network but its easier not to have the hassle. A happy customer! Now I just have to decide what to do with my extra 10p/month!

mobilejunkie

You could have got 500 mins with 500mb on O2 using a cashback contract for £6 per month after cashback (and sell the phone)

lanstrom

mobilejunkie wrote: »

You could have got 500 mins with 500mb on O2 using a cashback contract for £6 per month after cashback (and sell the phone)

Could you give me more details please ? Who is the cashback with ?

I have bought my son a Motorola E and am currently looking for a "SIM Only" deal. He really wont be using the phone a lot (or at least I hope he wont).

BTW: Do any of these deals allow you to lock the maximum spend per month ? I would hate for him to get carried away or get his phone nicked and find I have a bill for £100+ ?

Currently the best deal I have found is Talkmobile - SIMple £7
250 Minutes - 5000 Texts - 500 MB Data on a 1 Month deal at £7.00 a month.

Thanks.

mobilejunkie

CPW company. No - you might be wise fo stick to a PAYT sim; then he can't over-spend.

lanstrom

mobilejunkie wrote: »

CPW company. No - you might be wise fo stick to a PAYT sim; then he can't over-spend.

OK thanks. Have been looking at the Three PAYG sim and that looks pretty good. I'll get the £10 add-on which will do for the first month.

Would I be right in saying that you pay the £10 on this but it doesn't actually get added to your balance (so it stays at £0 until you do a top-up) ?

50Twuncle

lanstrom wrote: »

Could you give me more details please ? Who is the cashback with ?

I have bought my son a Motorola E and am currently looking for a "SIM Only" deal. He really wont be using the phone a lot (or at least I hope he wont).

BTW: Do any of these deals allow you to lock the maximum spend per month ? I would hate for him to get carried away or get his phone nicked and find I have a bill for £100+ ?

Currently the best deal I have found is Talkmobile - SIMple £7
250 Minutes - 5000 Texts - 500 MB Data on a 1 Month deal at £7.00 a month.

Thanks.

I would recommend that you ensure that your son....
a. Sets and uses a password to access his phone
b. Uses the free "FIND MY PHONE" utility
c. Doesn't lose it !!
The phone companies are getting better at restricting phone usage - but you need to set a password to give access on-line
Alternatively - you can "lock down" the phone using free utilities - but that may be too drastic for your needs ....

lanstrom

50Twuncle wrote: »

I would recommend that you ensure that your son....
a. Sets and uses a password to access his phone
b. Uses the free "FIND MY PHONE" utility
c. Doesn't lose it !!
The phone companies are getting better at restricting phone usage - but you need to set a password to give access on-line
Alternatively - you can "lock down" the phone using free utilities - but that may be too drastic for your needs ....

All help gratefully received ! I am seriously panicking over him even having a phone. It will be bad enough if it gets lost or stolen but the thought of being hit with a massive bill terrifies me.

I have put off having a smartphone myself and have managed to make a £10 top up last just over 7 YEARS (am on Orange with the 5 Free txts a day allowance - Orange Outthere or was it Outhere ?). I laugh when companies phone me up and ask if I am topping up by more than £10 a month.

50Twuncle

lanstrom wrote: »

All help gratefully received ! I am seriously panicking over him even having a phone. It will be bad enough if it gets lost or stolen but the thought of being hit with a massive bill terrifies me.

I have put off having a smartphone myself and have managed to make a £10 top up last just over 7 YEARS (am on Orange with the 5 Free txts a day allowance - Orange Outthere or was it Outhere ?). I laugh when companies phone me up and ask if I am topping up by more than £10 a month.

My wifes average monthly (orange) bill is 20p !

CarolCompLady

Just checking in - In the end my daughter got a GiffGaff SIM for me for either £5 or £7 per month.