Daughter's mobile question

duncan32

Ok, bear with me if this is a stupid post (I have a work contract mobile which I have nothing to do with really, and no other experience of contact mobiles that I sort myself if you see what I mean).
My daughter (13 in May) is coming to the end of a two year contact which was originally with Phones 4U but with them going bust was transferred to EE.
I was a fool to get the 'phone for her with this contract originally as she barely uses what she can on it. It is a Samsung I8160GSM.
I have been paying 17.00 a month for the 'phone and (again a bit foolishly 4.99 for cover (which went up to £6.00 soon after and I never got round to cancelling it!).
It was bought on the 28th April 2013.
I want to move her onto a pay as you go, so I am not tied to monthly payments.
I would like to know whether at the end of the 2 years contract I have to give the 'phone back, or does it become ours?
If it does become ours can I just start using it as a pay as you go (and just top up credit as and when required in the shop!)?
When should I inform EE that this is my intention? Presumably pretty shortly, I'd imagine.
I think that is all!:)
Thanks in advance to anyone who is kind enough to give me some advice.
Cheers,

Duncan
:beer:

TeaCake

The phone is yours. You need to cancel the contract (and put up with the hard sell as your try to cancel) with 30 days notice (I think anyway, check your T&Cs to be sure) at the end of the term otherwise it will keep rolling over on the contract.

If the phone is locked to EE you will need to unlock it to use any other PAYG Sim card.

http://ee.co.uk/help/getting-started/joining-ee/unlocking-your-phone

Cuilean

At the end of the contract, the phone is yours. I'm no expert, and I'm sure someone smarter will be along soon, but I believe it will be locked to EE, so yes, you can put your daughter on PAYG, but unless you get the phone unlocked, it would have to be EE's PAYG.


AFAIK, you have to give EE a month's notice that you won't be renewing the contract.

McKneff

Do it all in writing and keep copies.

mobilejunkie

The phone may well already be unlocked (try a different network sim in it) as it came from Phones4u. It's yours to use or sell and you don't have to tell anyone (I sell mine on day 1). You can give 30 days notice when 30 days from the 24 month anniversary - otherwise it will carry on until you do.

macman

As above, the handset was yours from day one.
The contract does not end on 28/4/15, the minimum term does; it then continues until you give 30 days notice.
Absolutely the right thing to do to come off contract-either switch to PAYG or move to a capped contract (Tesco Mobile offer these): the only safe contracts for teenage use.
Cancel the insurance, it's cost you more than the handset was ever worth, and with your daughter using the phone, any claim would probably have been invalid anyway.

grumbler

duncan32 wrote: »

My daughter (13 in May) is coming to the end of a two year contact which was originally with Phones 4U but with them going bust was transferred to EE.

The contract was with EE from the start, although this makes no difference.

I would like to know whether at the end of the 2 years contract I have to give the 'phone back, or does it become ours?

As said above, it was yours from the start.

...can I just start using it as a pay as you go (and just top up credit as and when required in the shop!)?

You have to give EE a notice one month before the minimum term expires and ask them to switch you to PAYG. However, I don't think that EE have any decent PAYG tariffs, and it makes sense to switch the network. If you want to take the number to another provider, you have to get PAC from EE when giving the notice. It lasts for 30 days and you give it to the new provider a few days before it expires.

If you want an advice on the best PAYG deal, post the actual airtime usage/requirements.

Farway

You could just use a mobile operator that piggy backs on EE, but if DD wants to keep number you will need PAC as stated

List of MVOs using EE are here http://www.uswitch.com/mobiles/guides/mvnos_a_guide_to_coverage_and_pros_and_cons_of_virtual_networks/

Some you amy never heard of, but bet you know of Virgin & BT

You would need to check the call charges to see which would be beat for DD

grumbler

Farway wrote: »

You could just use a mobile operator that piggy backs on EE, ...

List of MVOs using EE are here

Most likely the phone is not locked.

Im_just_careful

Assuming you want to keep the number I recommend the following process.

1) Get a SIM from 3 ( https://www.three.co.uk/Support/Free_SIM/Order )

2) Try it in the phone - if it works call the number & check you can take a call.

If it doesn't get EE to unlock the phone and try again.

3) Top it up by £5

4) On 30th March call EE and ask for a PAC (this is a code to let you move the number to another network)

5) On 27th April use the PAC (port the number to "3"). This will end your EE contract.

You will end up paying for a few days you don't use but it should be no more.

If "3" and 3 2 1 doesn't suit, port the number again to a different network but 3 2 1 is a good place to start.