How do I buy a first mobile phone

aitch2oh

I have never owned a mobile phone because I am housebound and I have access to a second landline in case the first land line is faulty.
This second landline was installed because I used to have lodgers. Now lodgers have their mobile phones so this second landline never gets used.
I realize that this is a phenominal waste of money but the phone is my lifeline so I feel better having a second line.
Now I want to get a mobile phone as I gather this would be a much cheaper option in the long run.
Question is what to buy?
Do I get an Oldies phone that is easy to use and see?
Do I have to buy the contract that goes with it?
To SIM or not to SIM?
How do I connect to the satellite system?

I only want this phone for dire emergencies and I intend to use handset and my landline for calls as I have a BT package that I am very happy with.

grumbler

What 'satellite system' do you mean? Satellite navigation? Why do you need it if the phone is for emergencies only?

A basic phone costs just about a tenner. There is no point in having it on a contract if it's for emergencies only. Any PAYG will do the job well if the usage is very low provided that the network coverage is good in the areas you are interested in.

flashg67

For emergencies only, something like this might do - http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00422KSP4/ref=asc_df_B00422KSP411461985?smid=A40SBHNYEJU70&!!!!!googlecouk06-21&linkCode=asn&creative=22218&creativeASIN=B00422KSP4

The Sim card is what you need to insert in the phone to allow calls and texts. Simply buy one from your preferred network, or supermarket, or even local newsagents and top-up with a voucher and you're good to go. I'd avoid tying yourself into a contract for such low usage. But be aware, once you top up, you will need to use the phone occasionally to keep the service active.

Check here to see what different networks are likely to give good coverage in your area - http://ukmobilecoverage.co.uk/

For just calls & texts, most networks nowadays give coverage in all but the most remote locations anyway

suki1964

grumbler wrote: »

What 'satellite system' do you mean? Satellite navigation? Why do you need it if the phone is for emergencies only?

A basic phone costs just about a tenner. There is no point in having it on a contract if it's for emergencies only. Any PAYG will do the job well if the usage is very low provided that the network coverage is good in the areas you are interested in.

I think the op means the network. Not everyone understands the terminology or how things work

Op, if you have dexterity problems or eyesight problem, one of the phones geared for the elderly may be ideal for you. Nice big buttons and a decent screen

Otherwise most networks have a £10 entry level bog standard phone

You only need to go sim only, you pay up front from £10. There's no time limit on using it up. You can top up at most local newsagents and supermarkets, you don't need to go in to the store you bought the phone from

As to what network? Ask your friends and lodgers which works best in your area, then go to that store.. You could get better deals online, but you might be more comfortable buying in store and having the assistant showing you how to use the phone and getting you set up

Hope that helps

aitch2oh

Grumbler, thanks a bunch. I put my question on this site to avoid people like you.
Flash67, thankyou; I have found that Virgin have the best reception in my area. It looks as though Virgin will give a free SIM to try their reception but I suspect it is also to get your details as I cannot see that they sell the SIM without a contratc. I hope I got that wrong.
Also thankyou Suki1964 for understanding my lack of understanding. As a disabled person if I am alone in the house and my landline is faulty (as has happened several times) I am completely cut off. That is why I need the second line. Unfortunately it is a fact that people like me are avoided like the plague as we might need some help. I avoid asking for help as much as possible as there are so many people like Grumbler who think disabled means stupid. I live in London which is the worst place in the world to be disabled and, ironically, I help out on a helpline from home (voluntarily) and no-one who phones ever knows I am so isolated and disabled. Put a pebble in your shoe Grumbler
.

grumbler

Virgin=Orange=T-Mobile

You seem to be very touchy. Honestly, I don't understand why a simple and a reasonable question disappointed you so much that you mentioned me 3 times (!) in your last post.

fiendishlyclever

aitch2oh wrote: »

Grumbler, thanks a bunch. I put my question on this site to avoid people like you.
Flash67, thankyou; I have found that Virgin have the best reception in my area. It looks as though Virgin will give a free SIM to try their reception but I suspect it is also to get your details as I cannot see that they sell the SIM without a contratc. I hope I got that wrong.
Also thankyou Suki1964 for understanding my lack of understanding. As a disabled person if I am alone in the house and my landline is faulty (as has happened several times) I am completely cut off. That is why I need the second line. Unfortunately it is a fact that people like me are avoided like the plague as we might need some help. I avoid asking for help as much as possible as there are so many people like Grumbler who think disabled means stupid. I live in London which is the worst place in the world to be disabled and, ironically, I help out on a helpline from home (voluntarily) and no-one who phones ever knows I am so isolated and disabled. Put a pebble in your shoe Grumbler
.

With an attitude like that I'm guessing you don't have many visitors while you are housebound.... I didn't find his answer rude, not like your response. Perhaps this is the reason you are avoided like the plague. Grumbler is one of the more helpful people on this forum.

I suggest a cheapo payg phone from a supermarket since you won't be needing to make many calls. Asda or Tesco do some good occasional use. I picked up a Samsung handset in Tesco a few weeks back for a fiver, add an Asda or Tesco SIM card and a top-up voucher and you aren't talking much more than a months line rental.

clivejohnson

I'm not even going to bother trying to help. Manners cost nothing

Rikki

I have just bought my Mum a Dora phone from o2 with just a basic £10 sim card on pay as you go. Its a simple easy to use phone.
No monthly top up needed but £10 on credit on the phone should she ever need to make a call.

The phone is for when she goes out and if anything happens and she needs our help. The idea is our numbers are programmed into the emergency ABC quick dial buttons.

elsien

If vodafone works in your area, have a look at the asda mobile rates which work off the vodafone network.
Virgin used to do a cheap PAYG that was similar (called simply 8 or something) , but looking at the site it looks as if it is now only available to existing virgin media customers.
Also (and sorry if you already know this, just that you said you'd not had a mobile before) you need to check whether the new mobile you buy is locked to any particular network. If not, some are quite cheap to get unlocked but I bought a cheap nokia which no-one could unlock for me and which would have cost me £30 to send to get it done. Just something to watch out for and check first before you buy.

flashg67

aitch2oh wrote: »

Grumbler, thanks a bunch. I put my question on this site to avoid people like you.
Flash67, thankyou; I have found that Virgin have the best reception in my area. It looks as though Virgin will give a free SIM to try their reception but I suspect it is also to get your details as I cannot see that they sell the SIM without a contratc. I hope I got that wrong.
Also thankyou Suki1964 for understanding my lack of understanding. As a disabled person if I am alone in the house and my landline is faulty (as has happened several times) I am completely cut off. That is why I need the second line. Unfortunately it is a fact that people like me are avoided like the plague as we might need some help. I avoid asking for help as much as possible as there are so many people like Grumbler who think disabled means stupid. I live in London which is the worst place in the world to be disabled and, ironically, I help out on a helpline from home (voluntarily) and no-one who phones ever knows I am so isolated and disabled. Put a pebble in your shoe Grumbler
.

Virgin do do a Sim only Pay as You Go - see here http://www.virginmobile.com/vm/simCardOnly.do

You should note that you don't have to top by the set amounts per month eg £10 - if you do, you get extra value, but not needed in your case.

Virgin minimum top-up is £5. Be aware Virgin use T-Mobile's network, so if you can get a T-mobile signal then Virgin will work.

At the bottom of the page I've linked to, you can order a free SIM card.

I've also used Asda in the past (who use Vodafone signal as already mentioned), and they're one of the best value for low users like you.