Confused!!

dannolan89

Hello

I had a look through and couldn't find anything relating to this so apologies if it is a repeat question.


I have a 24 month contract with O2 and it runs out in December (ish). I am looking to upgrade from my current Galaxy S3 to a later model - preferably the S5. Having looked on the O2 page they are offering an upgrade early (in november) but looks to be more expensive than other websites. i.e. mobile.co.uk seems cheaper, but it is unclear when I would start the contract/ would I be paying 2x contracts for a couple of months/ do they buy it out etc!!

ideal deal for me would be: 1GB data, and unlimited everything. Although minutes and texts are not as important as data. 4g would be a plus.. and I am currently paying around £33 a month.

I assume people may have more experience in this than me... do you have any advice on how to get the best deal? Do I leave O2, or is there a way I can upgrade for cheap and maybe take advantage of another network provider or phone supplier?

Basically would like any help from someone in the know - what would you do/ where would you go. Advice would be appreciated a lot!

Many Thanks

grumbler

dannolan89 wrote: »

I have a 24 month contract with O2 and it runs out in December (ish).

The min term runs out, not the contract.

I am looking to upgrade from my current Galaxy S3 to a later model - preferably the S5. Having looked on the O2 page they are offering an upgrade early (in november) but looks to be more expensive than other websites. i.e. mobile.co.uk seems cheaper, but it is unclear when I would start the contract/ would I be paying 2x contracts for a couple of months/ do they buy it out etc!!

Upgrading (directly with O2 or via another company) means keeping your provider, your number and extending the minimum term. Normally early upgrades are of poor value, and the remainder of the current min term gets added to the new one.

Do I leave O2, or is there a way I can upgrade for cheap and maybe take advantage of another network provider or phone supplier?

If you leave O2 before the min term expires then you pay the Early Termination Fee.

dannolan89

Thanks, that's good information and I didn't know that about the min term.

On the other side of things what would you or anyone else recommend I do given the situation? Where should I go to for the best deal? Does anyone know?

What are the next steps?

grumbler

Unless they can offer you the same deal as if you were close to the end of the minimum term, wait until you are close.
One month before the minimum term ends request a PAC from O2 and wait for their retentions department to contact you. Meanwhile shop around at other companies like cpw/mobiles.co.uk/e2save/osps, p4u/dial-a-phone and don't forget to check quidco/TCB.

dannolan89

Thats great thanks! If anyone else has some input that would always be useful.

Thanks

Frozen_up_north

dannolan89 wrote: »

Thanks, that's good information and I didn't know that about the min term.

On the other side of things what would you or anyone else recommend I do given the situation? Where should I go to for the best deal? Does anyone know?

What are the next steps?

The networks love customers who "upgrade", some will even upgrade a phone rather than suggest a new battery! There are staff bonus payments at stake, never mind looking for a good deal for the customer :rotfl:

You could switch to a 30 day SIM only contract and ask O2 to unlock your mobile. Then keep using the original phone, that would be cheaper. You are then free to pick and choose a new (SIM free) phone if you want to, and switch to another network on SIM only with 30 days notice if a better deal comes your way.

dannolan89

That's a possibility, thanks!