Plus net sim but no wifi calling

downshifter

Good afternoon all

Some basic questions here as I know nothing!

My 2 yr EE contract is about to run out and although I'd love a new phone there's nothing really wrong with it apart from hopeless amount of memory (iphone 5c) so I thought I'd look at the plusnet sim only deal as I have my broadband and landline with them and happy to stay with them.

I'm assuming I can keep my same number (can I?) and the other thing that I've found invaluable is wifi calling. I have no mobile phone signal in the house and very little in the garden so it's been really useful. However plusnet have no plans to introduce this from what I've read.

Is there another way of getting phone calls via wifi other than wifi calling? I've read that you can use Skype but that's dependent on the other person having the same system or something. I don't properly understand but if there's an add-on or an app then I could use that instead.

Be grateful for any advice. Thank you.

DS

d123

Proper WifiCalling is only available direct from networks for compatible phones. Some networks (like Three and o2) have an app you can install to make calls over wifi with incompatible handsets but I can't think of any MVNOs that offer it.

You'll have to ask each MVNO directly if they have an app.

Skype only allows calls over wifi to other Skype user (Whatsapp also allows calls between whatsapp users over wifi).

mobilejunkie

Note also that contracts don't "run out"; they continue endlessly until you a) ask for and exercise (within 30 days) a PAC OR b) give 30 days' notice.

eDicky

Your are in no way obliged to take a new phone and contract with EE if you stay with them after the minimum term of your present contract ends. You can change to a SIM-only deal, monthly or one year, and continue using their WiFi calling.

To keep your number if you change to another network, you ask EE for your PAC (Port Authorisation Code), which you then give to your new provider to move your number over. The PAC is valid for thirty days and using it will terminate the EE contract and service.

Even if you are not sure you want to change network, it's worth asking for your PAC, because EE are then quite likely to offer you a decent deal on SIM-only in order to retain you as a customer. You can tell them what deal you are likely to get with Plusnet.

downshifter

Thank you for the replies. I've always been with EE as Orange then EE are really the only signal around here, however Plusnet (and others too) now use the EE service so more options are open. I've either had new phone contracts or been sim only, but always direct with EE so didn't understand the process of moving over. I do better now so thank you.

I'll ring EE to ask for the PAC no and see what they say. Thanks again.

DS

molerat

EE can offer some pretty good retentions. MrsM was on Orange Dolphin7 sim only tariff and asked for a PAC to move to the Plusnet £5 1GB deal. EE gave her 1GB/1000min/ul txt (with the added bonus of 4G and wifi calling not available on Orange) for £4.99 which is now £15.99 normal price so there is a fair chance they will match the Plusnet price but will put you on a 12mth contract.

downshifter

Yes they offered me the £4.99 deal too but I decided on balance I'd prefer the flexibility of the Plusnet one rather than sign up for a year. I'll just have to get used to hanging out of an upstairs window to make the few calls I do make!

However it just shows that it's worth checking for retention deals, I wish they wouldn't do that though, I'd rather it was all straightforward and up front, life's too short for faffing about.

DS

[Deleted User]

downshifter wrote: »

Yes they offered me the £4.99 deal too but I decided on balance I'd prefer the flexibility of the Plusnet one rather than sign up for a year. I'll just have to get used to hanging out of an upstairs window to make the few calls I do make!

However it just shows that it's worth checking for retention deals, I wish they wouldn't do that though, I'd rather it was all straightforward and up front, life's too short for faffing about.

DS

Don't know if you're aware or whether it affects you but PN don't use shortcodes which rules out text competitions but also texts from the likes of banks and the NHS. It seems to affect any banking apps on the phone as well for verification purposes.

Edit: in your situation I think I'd be giving EE a call back and accept the offer.

downshifter

Colin_Maybe wrote: »

Don't know if you're aware or whether it affects you but PN don't use shortcodes which rules out text competitions but also texts from the likes of banks and the NHS. It seems to affect any banking apps on the phone as well for verification purposes.

Edit: in your situation I think I'd be giving EE a call back and accept the offer.

Really, gosh how do you know that? I can't see anything in the T & Cs about it. I don't think I use any of those kinds of services but if I were to in the future it might be important. Can you link me to further info?

Thanks very much.

d123

downshifter wrote: »

Really, gosh how do you know that? I can't see anything in the T & Cs about it. I don't think I use any of those kinds of services but if I were to in the future it might be important. Can you link me to further info?
.

It’s been fairly well reported all over the net.

Did you think to try a google search of ”plusnet short codes”?

downshifter

d123 wrote: »

It’s been fairly well reported all over the net.

Did you think to try a google search of ”plusnet short codes”?

Just spent the last 10 mins since receiving this message doing just that but thanks for reminding me of Google's existence anyway! (Other search engines are available)

As I haven't searched previously for this info then I hadn't come across it, however I'm not sure when I've ever used this service. It concerns me that there's nothing in the Terms and Conditions etc about it and just wonder what else I might assume is included that isn't. It wouldn't have occurred to me to ask about this until I couldn't get it to work one day.

May just see how it goes, at least it's easy to escape unlike lengthy contracts which I so hate.

Thanks all. DS