Do Tesco disconnect a number that has not been used for 6 months?

acc

Does anyone know whether Tesco will actually disconnect a number if it has not been used for 6 months, as stated in their PAYG terms & conditions 5.4 below?

What do Tesco mean by 'use'? Would receiving a call or text message count, or does a chargeable call or text have to be made?

I have a sim that I activated in April on Tesco Lite, but have not added any credit as I am using it for incoming calls only.

Thanks.


5.4 If you do not use your Mobile Phone for six months we will disconnect you and you will lose your Credits and Mobile Phone number. If your Mobile Phone is disconnected and you would like to reconnect it, you must call Customer Care. If we agree to reconnect you, you must pay a reconnection fee. Details of the current reconnection fee are available by calling Customer Care.

Buzby

It is an OFCOM requirement that there must be a 'chargeable event' to prove that the mobile is active. An inbound call or text does not meet this requirement.

Any operator cannot vary this so you'd be safe to assume it is the same for all!

grumbler

Tesco obviously don't give a damn about Ofcom requirement (if it really exists, that I am yet to see a proof of) as I have an active sim since Jan 2011 that had zero balance from the start and has never been topped up.

And, unlike most other networks, they vaguely say "use" in their T&C, not "chargeable event".

Not that I advocate doing this if you do care about your number.

BTW, Giffgaff don't give a damn either and clearly say that they will not disconnect if there were "At least 4 received calls of more than 10 seconds" during last 6 months (or even just "Top-up/purchase" or "The receipt of Payback points for recruiting new members or participating to the Community").

NFH

acc wrote: »

What do Tesco mean by 'use'? Would receiving a call or text message count, or does a chargeable call or text have to be made?

Most UK networks require a balance deduction every 180 days, at least as their official policy. In practice, they mostly allow an incoming call every 180 days, given that this generates a small amount of revenue for the network, but this is not always guaranteed. Based on the wording you quote, it could be that in the case of Tesco, an incoming call suffices. Giffgaff for example (another MVNO on O2) requires only a free call every six months.

Buzby wrote: »

It is an OFCOM requirement that there must be a 'chargeable event' to prove that the mobile is active. An inbound call or text does not meet this requirement.

This "requirement" is not stated anywhere; you have made it up. Please prove otherwise.

Techhead_2

NFH wrote: »

Most UK networks require a balance deduction every 180 days, at least as their official policy. In practice, they mostly allow an incoming call every 180 days, given that this generates a small amount of revenue for the network, but this is not always guaranteed. Based on the wording you quote, it could be that in the case of Tesco, an incoming call suffices. Giffgaff for example (another MVNO on O2) requires only a free call every six months.


This "requirement" is not stated anywhere; you have made it up. Please prove otherwise.

Ofcom's advice is based on their interpretation of General Condition 17, which states (amongst other things) that numbers must be used (by providers) efficiently to preserve the efficacy of the Numbering Plan. Ofcom's consumer advice is that if you don't use the phone for six months then the number may be recycled. It's left to the provider to define "use"

macman

OP, why don't you just make a single call or send a single text now in order to be sure they won't disconnect it? If activated in April, it will reach the 6m cut off sometime this month. After doing a minimum top-up obviously.

NFH

Techhead wrote: »

Ofcom's advice is based on their interpretation of General Condition 17, which states (amongst other things) that numbers must be used (by providers) efficiently to preserve the efficacy of the Numbering Plan. Ofcom's consumer advice is that if you don't use the phone for six months then the number may be recycled. It's left to the provider to define "use"

Thanks. So Condition 17.5 states "Where Telephone Numbers have been Allocated to the Communications Provider, that provider shall secure that such Telephone Numbers are Adopted or otherwise used effectively and efficiently". Buzby falsely stated that it's an Ofcom requirement to have a chargeable event every six months.

DigForVictory

Mobile phone numbers are recycled - and the apparent raw material is phone numbers not used for 6 months. Which is how some children get startling graphic texts - the former adult service user's phone number has ended up recycled.

Which reminds me to get the emergency Nokia out & text a message, before I count on it as my emergency glove box buddy!

acc

Thanks folks, for your helpful comments.

macman wrote: »

OP, why don't you just make a single call or send a single text now in order to be sure they won't disconnect it? If activated in April, it will reach the 6m cut off sometime this month. After doing a minimum top-up obviously.

I registered my on-line account yesterday and found that Tesco had added 20p credit, so I sent a 4p text with a message of yesterday's date to another number I use for outgoing calls and texts.

I may ask Tesco Customer Care whether a minimum top-up (of £10) is required in addition.

macman

No, there is no top-up requirement. You've used the phone, that suffices.
Now just make a diary note for 6 months forward to repeat the process.

gollum007

Whilst I stand to be corrected, AFAIK Tesco numbers never expire.

All our PAYG SIM cards come with the number already set & 20p worth of credit on there (This is supposed to be used to call CS to register the phone, although you can use it for anything), and the company guidance is that they have no expiry date. I don't see why this should be any different to a SIM that has been used and topped up. The spare mobile in my drawer is several years old, and certainly has been left for more than six months in the past without expiring too.

Please don't take this as gospel and loose a number you care about mind