Orange or EE

50Twuncle

My wife has a 16 year old Nokia - and an Orange SIM - She rarely uses it (average bill less than 40p per month) - however, she keeps it for emergencies
With EE taking over Orange, several years ago - the signal at home has dropped to virtually zero - so we are assuming that the Orange transmitter has been reduced in power / turned off
What we want/need is an EE sim on the same T&C as previous to use in an emergency - the phone is so old, that it does not have the facility to "scan for alternative signals" ie) It cannot cope with an EE signal as it stands !!
Before anyone says "GET A NEW PHONE" - Why should we have to ?
I have emailed EE and ORANGE EXECUTIVE OFFICE but they don't appear to want to reply - is there any other email address that I can use to contact Orange or EE ?

Silk

50Twuncle wrote: »

Before anyone says "GET A NEW PHONE" - Why should we have to ?

Because maybe the phone is 2g only if it's 16 years old, which is being phased out in lots of area's, so unless you get a 3g one you are restricted to 2g signal area's

grumbler

I don't think that changing the sim will change anything as the signal will be the same EE. Yes, they decommissioned loads of masts, and lost signal is a common place.

How special are the "previous T&C" and how are they better than the new EE PAYG?

If the handset isn't locked there are plenty of other options around.
If it is locked to Orange, old Nokias used to be easy and free to unlock.

BTW, if she topped up during the last 6 months, she qualifies for PAYG upgrade at CPW and can get a new phone as cheap as for 49p-99p:

http://www.carphonewarehouse.com/pay-as-you-go/deal-finder?PPAYUPG

http://www.carphonewarehouse.com/mobiles/pay-as-you-go/upgrades#pygTermsConditions

The phone will be unlocked and can be used on any network.

50Twuncle

Silk wrote: »

Because maybe the phone is 2g only if it's 16 years old, which is being phased out in lots of area's, so unless you get a 3g one you are restricted to 2g signal area's

Yes - the phone is only 2g - my wife isn't interested in web browsing or emails on mobiles !!
So - if a 2g signal is being phased out - what will happen to those relying on 2g signals ?

50Twuncle

grumbler wrote: »

I don't think that changing the sim will change anything as the signal will be the same EE. Yes, they decommissioned loads of masts, and lost signal is a common place.

How special are the "previous T&C" and how are they better than the new EE PAYG?

If the handset isn't locked there are plenty of other options around.
If it is locked to Orange, old Nokias used to be easy and free to unlock.

BTW, if she topped up during the last 6 months, she qualifies for PAYG upgrade at CPW and can get a new phone as cheap as for 49p-99p:

http://www.carphonewarehouse.com/pay-as-you-go/deal-finder?PPAYUPG

http://www.carphonewarehouse.com/mobiles/pay-as-you-go/upgrades#pygTermsConditions

The phone will be unlocked and can be used on any network.

She doesn't top up as such - she is on a contract - last bill was 17p !!!
She gets a monthly bill posted to her - which must cost Orange more than her monthly bill...

Silk

50Twuncle wrote: »

Yes - the phone is only 2g - my wife isn't interested in web browsing or emails on mobiles !!
So - if a 2g signal is being phased out - what will happen to those relying on 2g signals ?

They will find it increasingly difficult to get a signal as more and more 2g masts get turned off.

sparky93

just needs a cheep 3g handset thats unlocked. to pop the old sim into.
if no signal then, then a new sim wil;l be needed. with the old number/account moved to it.
it just happens that the old 2g/3g orange site by u is been turned off. and the next nearest is too far away. wondering if u wud now get 3g where you are...

50Twuncle

sparky93 wrote: »

just needs a cheep 3g handset thats unlocked. to pop the old sim into.
if no signal then, then a new sim wil;l be needed. with the old number/account moved to it.
it just happens that the old 2g/3g orange site by u is been turned off. and the next nearest is too far away. wondering if u wud now get 3g where you are...

Yes we can get a decent 3g signal where we are - I had assumed that 3g was an upgrade to 2g - not a replacement !!

50Twuncle

If we do get a replacement phone and just fit the sim into the new phone - will orange know and will they try to change the contract ?

Silk

50Twuncle wrote: »

Yes we can get a decent 3g signal where we are - I had assumed that 3g was an upgrade to 2g - not a replacement !!

If you think of it as 3g being a better signal then it is an upgrade.


It's rather like the television now being broadcast on digital and the old analogue being phased out, hence making perfectly good TV sets redundant.

Silk

50Twuncle wrote: »

If we do get a replacement phone and just fit the sim into the new phone - will orange know and will they try to change the contract ?

No they are not bothered what phone the sim is in