Blackberry's and PAYG?

Terrysdelight

Hi

Can anyone offer some advice on mobiles please?

This is my query - son would like a blackberry for his christmas present but he is a low user. He hardly ever phones anyone and doesn't text often. When he is late home from school, I often get calls from his friends saying he is ok. It does make sense to get him a phone specially as he's at secondary. He goes on facebook with his friends and also, friends chat on the BBMS. It's probably pointless getting a contract phone but I don't understand how PAYG works. If he tops it up with £10 and then the credit runs out - does this mean he wouldn't be able to use the BBMS?

Does he need to top up a regular amount each month?

Grateful for some advice please.
many thanks
Terri

malamute

here you go if its a blackberry you want don't think you will find cheaper its on Orange
http://direct.asda.com/Blackberry-8520---Includes-%C2%A310-free-air-time-with-Orange/008717115,default,pd.html

Terrysdelight

malamute wrote: »

here you go if its a blackberry you want don't think you will find cheaper its on Orange
http://direct.asda.com/Blackberry-8520---Includes-%C2%A310-free-air-time-with-Orange/008717115,default,pd.html

Thanks, the purchase price isn't an issue really, I need to understand how 'top up credit' works. I,e, if you are out of credit, can you still use the BBMS.

I saw TMobile have 6 months free internet and email so that looks good. I guess normally if you are out of credit you can't use the internet or email?

Anyone know the answers. I really don't want to go into a shop and ask because I know I will be given a hard sell etc.....!

mikey72

Orange PAYG costs £5 a month to use the BBMS, taken out of the credit on the phone.

Terrysdelight

mikey72 wrote: »

Orange PAYG costs £5 a month to use the BBMS, taken out of the credit on the phone.

OK, thanks, so basically if he runs out of credit the bbms wont work. So I guess I need to look at monthly costs for other networks.

impecunious

1. Find the cheapest Blackberry you can regardless of network.
2. If it's on o2, go to 3, If not go to Ebay and you can get it unlocked for 99p (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/UNLOCK-CODE-4-ORANGE-UK-BLACKBERRY-8520-8900-9500-/250617531155?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item3a59f80b13)
3. Get hold of a Giffgaff sim card (they run on o2 network)
4. Starting 8/12/11 Giffgaff are running BB and the cost will be £3 per month.
5. You can top up from as little as £5 per month.

TakeThis

Terrysdelight wrote: »

OK, thanks, so basically if he runs out of credit the bbms wont work. So I guess I need to look at monthly costs for other networks.

The best deal for you is here: Bring your BlackBerry to T-Mobile and get six months free internet and BlackBerry Mail

All you need to do is top up with £10 to activate the SIM and they will apply the package.
Then, with the £10 you get to choose another free plan for the first month. Such as 100 free minutes, unlimited texts or 60 minutes of International calls.
Plus he still has that £10 to spend.
If he's a low user the £10 can last for quite a while.

T-Mobile's BlackBerry units are as cheap as anyone else's. So I would stick with buying it from them, rather than giving yourself a headache with unlocking the thing and changing the software.

Go via Quidco to get cashback on your purchase. Currently £23 back on the Curve 8520(that would bring the price down to £106.99 for the BB, six months of free BIS and Internet, a free plan for one month and £10 in credit), though he might prefer a 3G model such as the Curve 9300.
You'll get £35 back via Quidco for the Curve 9300, bring the total price down to £124.99 for the identical package to the above. This would be my choice for his gift if it isn't too much for you.
At the end of the six month period, it costs £20 to apply another six months of BIS and Internet.

Another good reason to go with T-Mobile is if he ever goes abroad with you or the school, you can apply a BlackBerry World Email Booster for £15.32(lasts for a month) which will keep him fully connected without any extra charges.

donny-gal

You have to pay for BBM per month, in addition to the usual top up. BBM is data rather than call/text charges. Please ensure you get it insured for theft and breakages. So while your son will believe it is free, to be honest it is just like paying the monthly amount for unlimited texts. DG

TakeThis

donny-gal wrote: »

You have to pay for BBM per month, in addition to the usual top up. BBM is data rather than call/text charges. Please ensure you get it insured for theft and breakages. So while your son will believe it is free, to be honest it is just like paying the monthly amount for unlimited texts. DG

Did you actually read my post?

Other than that, your post is quite misleading to the point of being wrong. It is 'free' with regard to my post.

In addition, you can't send a photo or use FaceBook via text message.

martinthebandit

Have you looked at giffgaff?

Their free sim comes with £5 credit and then you can buy a goody bag (bolt on) for £10 which gives you 250 minutes calls, unlimited texts and unlimited internet, as long as you top up the credit every three months he can just keep buying the £10 a month goody bag.

Total cost would be £10 a month plus an extra £10 every third month and, providing he makes less than 250 minutes of calls a month he will never be unable to text or BBM.

Me and the Mrs are both on it and think its excellent value and, no I don't work for them.

TakeThis

martinthebandit wrote: »

Have you looked at giffgaff?

Their free sim comes with £5 credit and then you can buy a goody bag (bolt on) for £10 which gives you 250 minutes calls, unlimited texts and unlimited internet, as long as you top up the credit every three months he can just keep buying the £10 a month goody bag.

Total cost would be £10 a month plus an extra £10 every third month and, providing he makes less than 250 minutes of calls a month he will never be unable to text or BBM.

Me and the Mrs are both on it and think its excellent value and, no I don't work for them.

From the OP:

He hardly ever phones anyone and doesn't text often.

He wants BBM chat and to use Facebook. Waste of money paying £10 a month for things he won't use.