Trapped in a mobile contract for another year that can't give me what I need :(

jodilye · 2 February 2013 at 11:37AM

I bought an iPhone 4S on a 24 month contract from Tesco last Feb for my birthday. Minutes and texts are more than enough, and had 1G of data allowance. About 6 months ago I added another 1G of data for £10 a month. The reason for me using so much more data was a very unexpected and rapid house move, where I have no phone line, therefore no wifi.
I received a message this morning telling me I had used up all 2G and would pay £5 a day from now on if I carried on using the net. I called up customer services, expecting, at worst, another £10 1G plonked on top, but it turns out they can't give me any more at all.
So my question is this: With my expected bills for the next 12 months totalling around £600 or a charge of around £480 if I cancel the contract, what options do I have? (Don't have £480 spare to pay all at once). I would love to think that I could get a handset with just data for a reasonable amount but not sure where to begin to look.
I am aware my cheapest option is to just stop using my phone, but I use it for work (maps-I am a delivery driver), and it is essentially an extension of my right arm!

gjchester · 2 February 2013 at 11:53AM

jodilye wrote: »

So my question is this: With my expected bills for the next 12 months totalling around £600 or a charge of around £480 if I cancel the contract, what options do I have? (Don't have £480 spare to pay all at once). I would love to think that I could get a handset with just data for a reasonable amount but not sure where to begin to look.

Why not buy a 3G dongle for the home PC?

DUTR · 2 February 2013 at 11:54AM

jodilye wrote: »

I bought an iPhone 4S on a 24 month contract from Tesco last Feb for my birthday. Minutes and texts are more than enough, and had 1G of data allowance. About 6 months ago I added another 1G of data for £10 a month. The reason for me using so much more data was a very unexpected and rapid house move, where I have no phone line, therefore no wifi.
I received a message this morning telling me I had used up all 2G and would pay £5 a day from now on if I carried on using the net. I called up customer services, expecting, at worst, another £10 1G plonked on top, but it turns out they can't give me any more at all.
So my question is this: With my expected bills for the next 12 months totalling around £600 or a charge of around £480 if I cancel the contract, what options do I have? (Don't have £480 spare to pay all at once). I would love to think that I could get a handset with just data for a reasonable amount but not sure where to begin to look.
I am aware my cheapest option is to just stop using my phone, but I use it for work (maps-I am a delivery driver), and it is essentially an extension of my right arm!

I think it's time you spent to save then, you can get mapping apps that don't use data.

sillygoose · 2 February 2013 at 12:00PM

DUTR wrote: »

I think it's time you spent to save then, you can get mapping apps that don't use data.

Exactly, sure their are cheaper others but a one off £49 for Tom Tom for iphone and the map is on the phone, then your 2gb a month should be plenty.

Oli.s · 2 February 2013 at 12:15PM

Why don't you just buy a sat nav, then you won't need to use your phone. You'll be able to pick one up new for under £100 or second hand from eBay for under £50.

gjchester · 2 February 2013 at 12:22PM

DUTR wrote: »

I think it's time you spent to save then, you can get mapping apps that don't use data.

Good point,

Download NavFree, that has the maps on the phone so less data charges.

jodilye · 2 February 2013 at 1:26PM

Hi guys, thanks for the replies, a few quick responses:
I don't have a home pc, my phone is my computer.
I cannot stand sat navs, I use a paper map for the majority and my phone for what isn't on the map.
I'm going to download that navfree, should help me out a little, but the fact is that's just one reason I gave for why simply not using the net isn't an option, I use my phone for a lot more other than maps.

Really I was hoping there were companies that would sell me a new contract with cashback to help pay off this contract, as I have had friends do similar things. I think I'm most likely just being damned awkward and I'll have to suck it up and either pay more or browse less!

DUTR · 2 February 2013 at 2:10PM

jodilye wrote: »

Hi guys, thanks for the replies, a few quick responses:
I don't have a home pc, my phone is my computer.
I cannot stand sat navs, I use a paper map for the majority and my phone for what isn't on the map.
I'm going to download that navfree, should help me out a little, but the fact is that's just one reason I gave for why simply not using the net isn't an option, I use my phone for a lot more other than maps.

Really I was hoping there were companies that would sell me a new contract with cashback to help pay off this contract, as I have had friends do similar things. I think I'm most likely just being damned awkward and I'll have to suck it up and either pay more or browse less!

The responses are based on what you posted, I suppose you maybe able to get a sim only deasl to use in the handset, OK it may cost an additional monthly, but at least it is nearer a fixed cost, the Virgin Big text and data is for a £10 top up, the £10 credit remains for calls.

jodilye · 2 February 2013 at 2:17PM

Hi DUTR, that looks like a really good deal, if I cut my contract back to its original £35 and got that for my data it would cost me a lot less, will look into it further to see if they do it for a micro sim for an iPhone too.
I understand the replies were based on my post, is hard to determine what's necessary info and what's boring guff when posting!