Help - have no idea how to switch provider!

Parsimonia

grumbler wrote: »

Before spending time and money on unlocking check whether the phones are really locked. If you don't have another network sim to check, just order a free PAYG sim.

I'll definitely try that first, thank you! I read the initial article you linked to about how to unlock, and it was a tad complicated but worth the effort, I'm sure. But if I can avoid having to do it completely, then all the better!

My MIL is with vodafone - could I test by putting her sim into my phone and seeing if it worked?

grumbler

Yes.
Switch mobile data off first just in case. You don't need it for checking anyway.

macman

Why would you opt for Vodafone PAYG? Given your usage, Ovivo or 3 123 would be much cheaper options.

Parsimonia

macman wrote: »

Why would you opt for Vodafone PAYG? Given your usage, Ovivo or 3 123 would be much cheaper options.

Where we live in deepest rural Norfolk, vodafone offers the best signal. We're currently with Tesco on the O2 network (rubbish signal), we've previously been with Orange (even worse) and 3 (the worst of all)....only time we've ever managed to get decent coverage is when we were with vodafone.

grumbler

Parsimonia wrote: »

Where we live in deepest rural Norfolk, vodafone offers the best signal. We're currently with Tesco on the O2 network (rubbish signal), we've previously been with Orange (even worse) and 3 (the worst of all)....only time we've ever managed to get decent coverage is when we were with vodafone.

grumbler wrote: »

...Ovivo PAYG use Vodafone signal ...

So do Talkmobile that are likely to be less expensive than Vodafone.

Parsimonia

Thanks, I'll check out both Avivo and Talkmobile...(I'd not heard of either of these before today!)

macman

It's Ovivo. The other MNVO running on Vodafone is Sainsbury's Mobile, so look at them too. Similar pricing to Talkmobile (8p min, 4p text).
http://www.phoneshopbysainsburys.co.uk/home
This is a new virtual provider, so not much feedback yet.

gardner1

Parsimonia wrote: »

Good question! I don't know what came over me....

I think on reflection I did it because it was the only tariff where I got the phone for free....

We are currently with Tesco and will probably switch to vodafone from November to improve our signal.

We text each other using Whatsapp or message via Skype...can phone each other via skype too, come to that. As for calling other people, it's a rarity, and we send maybe 20 text to friends each per month.

Both of us average 30mb of data usage each month...

loads of cheaper tariffs with free phones......I think you were seduced by a fancy Samsung galaxy and a smooth talking sales person

Tesco phone tariffs start at £7.50 a month with 250 free min

Parsimonia

gardner1 wrote: »

loads of cheaper tariffs with free phones......I think you were seduced by a fancy Samsung galaxy and a smooth talking sales person

Oh yes, I absolutely can't deny that! It was the phone that seduced me, not a salesman (I bought online with no honeyed sales talk at all) and I'm well aware that I could have bought a much less fancy phone and paid considerably less for my tariff.

I don't hugely regret getting the phone (I like it!) but on reflection I should have got the minimum tariff and paid something towards the phone, rather than going for the bells-and-whistles tariff and getting the handset for 'free'. As I say, it's a lesson learned!

macman

gardner1 wrote: »

loads of cheaper tariffs with free phones......I think you were seduced by a fancy Samsung galaxy and a smooth talking sales person

Tesco phone tariffs start at £7.50 a month with 250 free min

Not free, inclusive. But the OP has already stated that they hardly use the phones to make calls. PAYG is clearly the best option for them once out of minimum term.