network/tariff recommendation

theGrinch

Please recommend a network/tariff for a teenager for a minimum of 1000 texts and 500 minutes of calls per month without a 12-month contract.

We are not very savvy in this area.

[Deleted User]

Plusnet, Tesco, Giffgaff and Asda all have likely candidates at £10 per month (£7.50 in Plusnet's case). You'll also need to know what sort of data limit you'll require. Also consider whether they have spending caps so they can't run up a separate charge, for instance Plusnets is set at £10 over the monthly charge but can be set to just £2 (but not zero).

https://www.plus.net/mobile/plans/sim-only/
https://shop.tescomobile.com/pay-monthly/sim-only/Tesco+Mobile/simonly/tariff
https://www.giffgaff.com/sim-only-plans
https://mobile.asda.com/bundles

Frozen_up_north

You mention only calls and texts... Texts are old hat, most folks I know use data for messaging, using an app such as "WhatsApp". With these you can send pictures and short video clips.

Check out the sticky thread near the top of this page for "Best SIM only deals", but a few points to bear in mind:

Some networks offer short lived deals, so check directly with the network for their special offers, which may not be listed on the above thread.

Check how/if the network limits over spend. Some don't limit spending and that can be a huge expense.

Check network coverage with a PAYG SIM first if you are not sure of the coverage at your location.

Be aware that watching "YouTube" and TV catch up will consume data at an alarming rate, some of the deals only include a small amount of data (1 or 2 GB is not much in terms of YouTube).

Ian011

Make sure they never call numbers starting 070, 084, 087, 09 or 118 as these can cost hundreds of pounds per hour.

A deal with 'unlimited' calls to landline numbers, 03 numbers and mobile numbers and 'unlimited' texts to mobile numbers should cost way under £20 per month. Most providers offer a range of options based on how much data you need.

If data is going to be used, make sure you install an app to monitor usage. If you exceed the monthly allowance things get very expensive very quickly.

DCFC79

Do you already have a phone ?

Get a couple of payg sims from some of the networks to see which 1 gives you/ your son/daughter the best coverage then see if say Tesco is better than 02 for cost wise.

[Deleted User]

Ian011 wrote: »

Make sure they never call numbers starting 070, 084, 087, 09 or 118 as these can cost hundreds of pounds per hour.

A deal with 'unlimited' calls to landline numbers, 03 numbers and mobile numbers and 'unlimited' texts to mobile numbers should cost way under £20 per month. Most providers offer a range of options based on how much data you need.

If data is going to be used, make sure you install an app to monitor usage. If you exceed the monthly allowance things get very expensive very quickly.

That's why I suggested getting one with a cap, preferably zero. Would this also stop them getting caught out by the £4.50 a month scams? Anybody?

Ian011

Colin_Maybe wrote: »

That's why I suggested getting one with a cap, preferably zero. Would this also stop them getting caught out by the £4.50 a month scams? Anybody?

On some networks yes, on others, no. Some of those with a cap don't include premium rate services within the cap.

warehouse

theGrinch wrote: »

Please recommend a network/tariff for a teenager for a minimum of 1000 texts and 500 minutes of calls per month without a 12-month contract.

We are not very savvy in this area.

OP, it's data you need, trust me on this. Having 3 kids now all with mobiles, their data use is capped at 2GB on their EE sim only contracts, but recently they've all been hitting the limits quickly.

"3" had an offer over Christmas where they gave you 30GB of data, 200 minutes of calls and unlimited texts for £15 per month, (sim only on a 12 month deal). I quoted this to EE and was quickly offered 20GB with unlimited texts and calls for £15 per month, (again sim only 12 month deal).

Without a 12 month contract it'll be tough to beat the figure above from EE, but I'd highly recommend a visit to all your local mobile shops to sit down with them and go through what's needed. You'll soon work out what's going on.

[Deleted User]

Ian011 wrote: »

On some networks yes, on others, no. Some of those with a cap don't include premium rate services within the cap.

Hmm, you made we wander off to Plusnet to start a new thread asking the question now.

theGrinch

DCFC79 wrote: »

Do you already have a phone ?

Get a couple of payg sims from some of the networks to see which 1 gives you/ your son/daughter the best coverage then see if say Tesco is better than 02 for cost wise.

Yes we have a phone but no sim at present

Ian011

Colin_Maybe wrote: »

Hmm, you made we wander off to Plusnet to start a new thread asking the question now.

I believe that Plusnet Mobile doesn't support mobile shortcodes. At all.