Starting from Scratch

Catbells

I may appear stupid but I dont know much about mobile phones/networks/good tariffs - but am trying to learn and want to start from scratch to get the best deal. I have a network provider - T Mobile. I have a handset - one from years ago - I dropped my upgrade one a week or so after I got it and had just stopped paying for insurance which I had never used in the past. I get very little for the money I pay - around £25 - £32 a month. Only texts and phone calls because the phone is so prehistoric. My contract is up soon after 18 months. I have been on Money Supermarket and seen a for eg. Samsung Galaxy at £15.42 a month through O2 with unlimited texts and I use texts a lot. It would be like being in another world having one of these phones compared to my current ancient (though trusty) little model - an old Nokia. May keep it as for antique value.

1. Does this price include, phone and tariff and insurance? It doesnt say in the big print and I cant see any small print on the site.

2. If I went for this deal would I be able to retain my number? If not how could I get the same deal and retain my old number?

3.Can I buy my own phone and PAYG and is this a good way?

4. Also what is the feeling regarding insurance? Am guessing its important. Is it woven in with some tariffs?

victor2

1. The price will probably include the phone and tariff, but not insurance. Also, if you get a Samsung Galaxy, you will have internet access through it so check how much data is allowed in that tariff, otherwise you could be in for large bills.

2. You almost certainly can retain your number. Just phone T-Mobile or go into one of their stores to verify that.

3. Yes you could. It can work out cheaper, especially if you're a low user, but you may lose your number.

4. Insurance is nearly always an extra they try to sell you. Look carefully at what is covered. Also check your house/contents insurance and see if that covers personal goods away from the house. Again see what is covered and what the excess is, maybe even worth phoning your insurance company to find out.

It's worth phoning T-Mobile (if you're on a contract it's 150 from the handset and is free). You'll probably get a customer services rep in the Philippines, but it's worth the call to find out what they can offer. If you find a better deal elsewhere, ask T-Mobile for a PAC code to transfer your number to another supplier.

grumbler

victor2 wrote: »

2. You almost certainly can retain your number. Just phone T-Mobile or go into one of their stores to verify that.

It's just 'certainly' without 'almost'.
Verify what?
It's just a matter of asking T-mobile for a PAC 30 days before the min term of the contract expires and giving it to the new provider a few days before the end. If the OP wants to stay with T-mobile they just give a 30 days notice and ask to switch to PAYG after min term expires.

3. Yes you could. It can work out cheaper, especially if you're a low user, but you may lose your number.

How may they lose it?

Catbells wrote: »

4. Also what is the feeling regarding insurance? Am guessing its important.

This depends on the person. It's not important for me. My feeling is that all mobile insurances are very poor value for money unless you lose your phone every year or so.

victor2

victor2 wrote: »

3. Yes you could. It can work out cheaper, especially if you're a low user, but you may lose your number.

grumbler wrote: »

How may they lose it?

I'm no authority on the matter, but I have heard of people saying they couldn't keep their number if going from a contract to PAYG with the same provider.
I stand to be corrected though!

grumbler

victor2 wrote: »

...but I have heard of people saying they couldn't keep their number if going from a contract to PAYG with the same provider.

There may be problems with transferring a number from PAYG to a contract or from an old contract to a new contract.
No problems with switching from a contract to PAYG after the minimum term expires.

Catbells

grumbler wrote: »

It's just 'certainly' without 'almost'.
Verify what?
It's just a matter of asking T-mobile for a PAC 30 days before the min term of the contract expires and giving it to the new provider a few days before the end.

Thank you. But what exactly is a PAC?

Catbells

grumbler wrote: »

It's just 'certainly' without 'almost'.
Verify what?
It's just a matter of asking T-mobile for a PAC 30 days before the min term of the contract expires and giving it to the new provider a few days before the end. If the OP wants to stay with T-mobile they just give a 30 days notice and ask to switch to PAYG after min term expires.
How may they lose it?This depends on the person. It's not important for me. My feeling is that all mobile insurances are very poor value for money unless you lose your phone every year or so.

Thanks.

Interesting what you say about mobile insurances being poor value for money - but many phones are now above £300 so I dont quite understand this as insurances must be less than this. Maybe the second hand market is helpful in this case.

grumbler

Porting Authorisation Code.
It's worth saying that it can be confusing first time you do this: PAC Codes and Oranges Way to Stop You Cancelling

Also, T-mobile became very !!!!!! with PACs recently: How to give T-Mobile notice and then PAC request. In light of this I think at T-mobile it is easier to switch to PAYG first, then to port the number out.

grumbler

Catbells wrote: »

Interesting what you say about mobile insurances being poor value for money - but many phones are now above £300 so I dont quite understand this as insurances must be less than this. Maybe the second hand market is helpful in this case.

Don't forget that with very few exceptions mobiles lose their value very fast. And pretty often there is an excess to pay. Not to mention numerous exclusions and get-out clauses that insurers use to avoid paying.