Tesco Mobile Capped

Satellite_John

Just would like to know from anybody with experience of a capped Tesco Mobile contract - is the cap completely reliable? Do international texts go through? What about premium texts? Excessive internet use? Directory enquiries?

I am just asking as we are about to give a capped Tesco Mobile sim to our au-pair, and I do not want her to run up a bill.

Thanks for any replies.

Satellite_John

What about additional charges due to tethering? Has anybody received these? Thanks

mazza111

The dd has a capped contract. Only once has she run out of internet on her phone, for some reason her wifi had turned off, it just meant she either had to top up her phone or not have any internet on it.

She doesn't send international texts, so don't know about that. Nor has she used it for tethering. So can't help you on that part either.

sweetme

My daughters both have capped Tesco contracts. Every month they have used their allowance within a week or so. I've never been charged extra, the DD is £15 a month each and Tesco have never taken more than that. There is the option of topping up in the same way as a pay as you go when their allowance has ended if they choose to use it. Their allowance renews once a month. You can also track usage online.

sweetme

What is tethering?

J-Mac

sweetme wrote: »

What is tethering?

Tethering involves sharing the data connection of your mobile phone with another device, typically a tablet or laptop.

MillicentBystander

sweetme wrote: »

My daughters both have capped Tesco contracts. Every month they have used their allowance within a week or so. I've never been charged extra, the DD is £15 a month each and Tesco have never taken more than that. There is the option of topping up in the same way as a pay as you go when their allowance has ended if they choose to use it. Their allowance renews once a month. You can also track usage online.

How many mins/texts/data do they get for £15/mth? Reason I ask is T Mobile's Full Monty SIM (u/l mins, texts and data) is currently on £21/mth offer (rumour is it will be reduced to £16/mth soon like it was a week or so ago) with £50 cashback from Quidco. Works out at £16.84/mth for added peace of mind (and less stressed daughters!). If the rumour is true and it does get reduced to £16/mth with £50 cashback the net cost reduces to less than you are paying now.

Herongull

Are you sure it is wise to give a contract phone (presumably in your name) to an au pair?

AFAIK caps are not guaranteed to always work (although the usually do) and if the phone is taken abroad then there is more of a chance that the cap doesn't work. If the cap fails to work the customer is usually still liable for all use. But double check this with the fine print on the Tesco contract in case it says otherwise.

If the au pair decides to leave with the phone, she may be able to run massive bills abroad (thousands of £) and you will just have to keep paying them until you get the phone blocked.

Give her a PAYG phone instead.

grumbler

Herongull wrote: »

AFAIK caps are not guaranteed to always work (although the usually do) and if the phone is taken abroad then there is more of a chance that the cap doesn't work. If the cap fails to work the customer is usually still liable for all use. But double check this with the fine print on the Tesco contract in case it says otherwise.

This is all what the T&C say about the capped tariffs:

5. Capped Tariffs with Inclusive Calls, Texts or Data

5.1 You can choose to Cap our new Pay monthly tariffs to ensure you get the great value of Pay monthly without any unexpected surprises on your bill.
5.2 You'll get your usual monthly allowance but if you use all of your allowance before the end of the month you can top-up as if on Pay as you go, meaning your bill will never be more than you expect.
5.3 You’ll only get capped on the part of the allowance that you have used up. For example if you’ve used up your minutes allowance, you’ll still be able to use your texts and data allowance.
5.4 Your inclusive minutes, texts and data can only be used as outlined in paragraphs 2, 3 and 4. For any usage which is outside of your ‘inclusive’ allowance you will be required to Top-up as outlined in paragraphs 5.2 and 9, and the Top-up terms and conditions set out in paragraph 9 shall apply. For all out of tariff usage, you will be charged at the current call rates.
5.5 To take advantage of our Pay monthly Capped tariffs you will need to opt in by purchasing a £10 Top-up at the same time as signing up for your Pay monthly tariff. Your £10 will allow you to call or text numbers that are outside of your inclusive allowance such as 0800 numbers or calls made to or from abroad.

spannerzone

Tesco don't officially allow tethering other than on their iphone tariffs are far as I can tell. That's not to say it won't work (I've used it a few times) but suspect that heavy tethering use may trigger an alert and Tesco may then block data?

gjchester

spannerzone wrote: »

Tesco don't officially allow tethering other than on their iphone tariffs are far as I can tell. That's not to say it won't work (I've used it a few times) but suspect that heavy tethering use may trigger an alert and Tesco may then block data?

Are you sure, my understanding was Tesco don't permit tethering at all.

IN the T&C It' says

4.2 All usage must be for your private, personal and non-commercial purposes. You may not use your SIM Card:
(a) in, or connected to, any other device including modems;