Contract with o2 ending, Shall I move to another provider?

vart400

My 24 month £17p/m contract with o2 runs out in a months time. I currently get 50mins, 250 texts and 500MB data. I had a look at their upgrades on offer through their website and most of their phone upgrades needed a large upfront fee for the phone and a larger than I wanted monthly cost. All of the phones that didn't require an upfront fee would be a downgrade from the phone that I've got at the moment (Samsung Galaxy S).
So I decided that it's best to stick with my Galaxy S and go for a Sim only plan. I want one with 500MB data, not that fussed about mins and 250 texts is more than enough for me.The price was £16 on their site for 12 months, 600mins and unlimited texts. That is more than double the price than Tesco Mobile or T-Mobile.
Below is the transcript from the online chat I had with customer services. (I changed my name to my forum name and cut out my verification details):

Welcome to O2. Someone will be with you soon.
You're through to 'Rajiv'
Rajiv: Hi I'm Rajiv. How can I help?
Vart400: I'm due an upgrade but I'm not happy with the tariffs available. Are there any better deals than on your website?
Rajiv: I will transfer the chat to the concerned team they will assist you with this.
Vart400: Thanks
We’re putting you through to the right person, won’t be long.
You're through to 'Fred'
Fred: Hi there. My name's Fred. Please allow me a few minutes while I go through your previous chat.
Fred: Can I know that which deal are you looking for?
Vart400: I'm looking for a Sim only deal with 500mb data and a 12 month contract
Fred: Okay. I'll surely help you with that.
Fred: With us you can go for 12 months SIM only at £16 tariff which includes 600 minutes to any network, 500 O2 calls, 500 MB data, unlimited text and unlimited WI-FI (BT open zone and O2 hotspots).
Vart400: That is too expensive. I don't send that many texts or make many calls. Are there any other deals?
Fred: With us you can go for 12 months SIM only at £11 tariff which includes 300 minutes to any network, 300 O2 calls, 250 MB data, unlimited text and unlimited O2 Wi-Fi.
Fred: With both the deals, you'll get the option of anytime upgrade.
Fred: It means you don't need to wait for next 11 month for next upgrade. you can again upgrade your contract anytime.
Vart400: the 250MB data prob won't be enough which is why I wanted to go for the 500MB. I'm looking at a T-Mobile Sim only that is only £8pm over 12 months for 250 mins, 500 texts and 500MB data.
Fred: I can understand your concern but you can top-up your account when you want more data.
Fred: You're also getting unlimited Wi-Fi with this deal it means you can use unlimited internet on your mobile through Wi-Fi.
Vart400: But that is still more money for less than the other deal. I though Wi-fi is free anyway as it's going through my internet provider, not o2?
Fred: You can also use O2 hotspots.
Vart400: Are there any better deals than the ones you have mentioned?
Fred: Yes, we've one more cheaper deal but in that you'll get 100 minutes, unlimited texts and 100 MB Data.
Fred: You can go for £8.00 deal in which you'll get above allowances.
Vart400: Can you price match the t-mobile deal that I mentioned above?
Fred: I'm sorry, we don't price match on SIMO deals.
Vart400: Then it looks like switching provider might be the better option for me then?
Fred: I'm really sorry if you're thinking this way but we never want to leave our any customer.
Vart400: How do I go about getting my PAC code?
Fred: You can take the PAC on chat as well.
Fred: Do you want your PAC now?
Vart400: I don't need it yet. Thanks for your help. I'm just sad that I might be leaving o2.
Fred: I'm sorry about that.
Vart400: bye

What would you do in my situation? Stay with o2? Get a Sim only plan with Tesco or T-Mobile? Or go with Tesco Mobile and get a Galaxy S3 Mini for £17.50 month?

mije1983

If you don't need a new phone just go for a sim only deal on the cheapest network with the allowances you need. You will usually get a much better (cheaper) deal.

If it's a network you haven't been with before get a free PAYG sim first before you switch, to make sure you can get a good enough signal in the places you usually are (home, work etc).

londonTiger

it works out better value if you buy a 8-12 month old phone from ebay and go pay as you go.

The theory is that a bundled phone and calls package gives you better value - but in actual fat that doesn't appear to be the case at all. Sheeple go out and buy the latest iphone on a 24 month contract paying £40 a month.

They pay £960 over two years when they can get a average smartphone for £300 on ebay, and get on a £10 pay as you go plan for 24 months which will cost you £560 over 24 moths with a good smartphone and tariff on smartphone


I bought a galaxy s3 earlier this year (refurb) for £260, on a giffgaff plan.

keith1950

Hi, first check which networks are ok in your area....but....

Three Essential Internet 12 months 200mins/5000texts/500mb data.......£6.99/month.

Three Essential Internet Monthly 200mins/5000texts500mb data......£9.99/month.

pepdavies

Try Ovivo mobile

londonTiger

wow ovivo have a £0 tariff for 750mb a month.

Was going to try that but I saw that it's 16p a mb after the limit. So I guess that's how they catch people out. going just 500mb over the limit will cost you £80!

Can be used if you're responsible and have data capping on the device. As the network will not cap the data use.

BantamRJV

If you're a TalkTalk customer already, TT mobile (they use the Vodafone network btw) have a Sim only offer on until the end of July which is as follows:

£ 7.50 5.00 a month for 12 months

• 300 mins
• 3000 texts
• 500MB 1GB data

If you use topcashback.co.uk you can get £21 cashback too which means you'll actually only pay (equivalent) £3.25 per month (with Quidco it's £15).

TT Mobile also have some good deals on phone contracts too.

Cisco001

ovivo for phone freedom
150 mins
250 texts
500MB data
£0p/m

londonTiger

Cisco001 wrote: »

ovivo for phone freedom
150 mins
250 texts
500MB data
£0p/m

what the heck. HOW???

Herongull

londonTiger wrote: »

wow ovivo have a £0 tariff for 750mb a month.

Was going to try that but I saw that it's 16p a mb after the limit. So I guess that's how they catch people out. going just 500mb over the limit will cost you £80!

Can be used if you're responsible and have data capping on the device. As the network will not cap the data use.

Nonsense! Ovivio is PAYG with free monthly allowances, not contract so they "never catch people out". If you use up all your data for the month and you don't have any credit on the phone, the data just stops working (until you top up).

Unlike contracts you can never end up with a big bill even if the phone is lost or stolen.

Why would anyone take out an uncapped contract? Risk and stress!

Herongull

londonTiger wrote: »

what the heck. HOW???

I've been with them a year now. Saved lots of money by paying £0 per month.