Confused by it all

Eliza_2

Please dis-confuse me!

My 18 month Orange contract is coming to an end and I really don't want to go for another long contract, for the past 2x 18 month contracts the phone hasn't lasted as long as the contract. For the last 6 months I've been using someone else's rather battered iphone when the screen on my contract phone died.

I suppose my only option is payg which because of all the added extras you get might be ok but is there another alternative? I want to use the internet as much as poss, and texts, but because of where I live I often can't get a signal at home - where I also work - so don't need that many call minutes. Much as it would be lovely to have a new phone, I find the iphone does everything I want for work and play and I would now only really want another one.

I only really know of the 2 options of contract or payg, I've seen stuff about sim only but don't really understand how that works and be better value - and I would certainly need to keep my phone no.

And to complicate things, I also have a dongle on contract which I took on when broadband wasn't available in this area. I can now escape this contract hooray but would like to keep the dongle on payg. Is this possible and are there any good deals I can ask for which might combine dongle and phone?

Whoops, sorry rambling again, any help so gratefully received.
Liz

Mezzo

If you don't want to commit to a long contract and can't be bothered with all the hassle of PAYG, SIM only is ideal.
Basically it's still a contract, but only for either 30 days or 12 months... you decide. It works out way cheaper because you don't get a new phone.
You'll get a better deal with a 12 month plan, but there are some really good 30 days options if you shop around. If you want to stay with Orange they can move you to a SIM only plan very easily, but even if you decide to move networks it's simple. Just ask Orange for your PAC code and then give it to your new provider, and your number will port across.
I know it sounds daunting, but it really is very easy.

Can't help you with the dongle though I'm afraid!

cgk1

How is the three reception by you? their £10 a month sim-only contract might be for you - 12 months - and you get 300 minutes, 3000 texts and 1gb of internet. If you go via a cash-back site, you can get £60 back and it works out at about £6 a month.

I moved from Orange to three last week onto this contract and as Mezzo says all you need to do is get a PAC code from orange, give it to three within 30 days (and BEFORE your orange contract ends) and the number will transfer.

Eliza_2

Thank you, that's really helpful. and clarified things. I will investigate! And is it better to go direct to Orange which I've always done in the past, or to one of these other companies that do Orange products (like phones4you or carphonewarehouse or wherever)

Liz

grumbler

Eliza wrote: »

Please dis-confuse me!

My 18 month Orange contract is coming to an end and I really don't want to go for another long contract, for the past 2x 18 month contracts the phone hasn't lasted as long as the contract. For the last 6 months I've been using someone else's rather battered iphone when the screen on my contract phone died.

I suppose my only option is payg which because of all the added extras you get might be ok but is there another alternative?

A rolling contract that you can cancel any time with 30 days notice.

I only really know of the 2 options of contract or payg, I've seen stuff about sim only but don't really understand how that works and be better value - and I would certainly need to keep my phone no.

A contract is likely to be a better value if you want a free/discounted new expensive phone. The alternative is to pay the full price for the phone an then get a sim-only contract or PAYG. You can easily port your number to any network.

And to complicate things, I also have a dongle on contract which I took on when broadband wasn't available in this area. I can now escape this contract hooray but would like to keep the dongle on payg. Is this possible and are there any good deals I can ask for which might combine dongle and phone?

How do you use internet if often you don't get signal at home?
The One Plan at '3' has unlimited internet included and allows 'tethering', i.e. using you phone for your PC internet connection.
Available on a rolling sim-only contract for £25p.m. or on 24 months contracts with various free/discounted phones.

Mezzo

It's probably worth calling Orange first to see what they can offer you. If you've been with them a while they might do you a deal.
Just looking at their website, a 30 day SIM only plan for £20 will get you 500 mins, unlimited texts and 500mb data which isn't very competitive compared to the other networks.
If you speak to retentions and ask for your PAC they might come up with a better price if they think you're going to leave them.

Eliza_2

grumbler wrote: »

How do you use internet if often you don't get signal at home?
The One Plan at '3' has unlimited internet included and allows 'tethering', i.e. using you phone for your PC internet connection.
Available on a rolling sim-only contract for £25p.m. or on 24 months contracts with various free/discounted phones.

It uses the home wifi. But I use the internet via the phone signal when out and about, and use the dongle for occasional work purposes with a laptop (I teach elderly/housebound people to use computers in their homes)

That tethering business sounds interesting, but now I'm getting to the point where there's too much choice again - oh dear!

Thanks all, will do some research tomorrow, also need to check what might happen when the contract ends, I wonder if it's like BT and you automatically get signed up for a further period - yikes as they say!

Liz

Mezzo

I wouldn't worry about your contracts being extended. After your minimum term ends they should just roll along month to month until you enter a new agreement or cancel.
Let us know how you get on sorting things out...