Alternative to Giffgaff?

tracey3596

Having problems connecting, though Giffgaff uses the O2 network.
Signal status is good & no network problems, BUT .... will connect phone calls only once in 4 or 5 attempts, and seems to be getting worse. MMS - well, with a fair wind only. Internet - wassat? On any of 5 family-owned phones.
So it looks like time for a new network - anything not O2 - related considered.
(Though I admit I'll miss the free Giffgaff-to-Giffgaff; bundles etc.)
Ideas for alternatives?

MillicentBystander

Ovivo? They use Vodafone so best to check the coverage in your area before committing.

tracey3596

My very thoughts ..... and coverage here SHOULD be okay. Trouble is, it only works on smartphones, which rules out a few members of my family.
Any other suggestions?

grumbler

What exactly do you need in terms of minutes/Mb? Talkmobile have good sim-only contracts.
Also, cheapest smartphones are just about £50 if not less.

tracey3596

I phone my mum every night .... say 10 min's per day. PLUS texts to others (on same network usually), so what I use at the mo is Giffgaff £5 hokey cokey (free Gifffgaff to Giffgaff) and a little mobile internet & texts.
So £10 easily lasts a month.
Alternative MUST be PAYG, & sim only as we all have phones.
BTW .... I know I could buy mum a smartphone cheap BUT tbh she has (for various reasons) difficulty using ANY phone. A smartphone would be a no-no.

grumbler

iCardmobile offer free calls within the network and PAYG rates are very low. However, data is 10p/MB.

You don't necessarily have to have all your family on the same network. E.g. get your mother iCard sim and get Ovivo to all other members with smartphones. Both use Vodafone signal.

tracey3596

Not heard of that one, I'll look thanks. :T

jhp

If your calls are predominantly between Family Members see: http://online.vodafone.co.uk/dispatch/Portal/appmanager/vodafone/wrp?_nfpb=true&_pageLabel=templateCClamp&pageID=PAYG_0063

Also TalkMobi offer half price calls/texts between subscribers
http://www.talkmobile.co.uk/pay_as_you_go_essential.html

tracey3596

Thanks for that jhp.
I looked at iCardmobile .... hmm, seems predominantly for people to phone abroad, esp. Asia. Plus free calls within their network are limited to 10 minutes.
Talkmobile .... CPW group .......... no. NO. Sorry, too many bad experiences there.
Vodafone looks increasingly like getting the family's business TBH, and thanks for that link. :T

cally6008

Have you spoke to GiffGaff and asked them to help you sort out these problems ?

What handsets do you all use ? Maybe there is a problem with them, or maybe they haven't been set up right ?

tracey3596

Spoken to Giffgaff?
Can't do that - look & you'll see.
I HAVE gone through the website & asked in their forums as they advise, with no success.
As it is a good mix of handsets (between 5 of us) and we all live within a few miles, and ALL have this problem I can only conclude that it is a Giffgaff problem.
Whilst I realise that Giffgaff are a "budget" provider, I do expect that when I place a call on my phone I will be connected and 4 times out of 5 that doesn't happen.
Good job we make sure we buy unlocked or sim-free phones!
So, I'm considering the Ovivo route with the option of using Vodafone in the future if needs must.