Anyone have experience of TPO?

YoungWoden

The People's Operator (TPO) is a small mobile phone outfit currently using the EE network, and charging fairly low rates for calls, texte and data.

They call themselves 'The caring network because they donate some of their profits to charity.
Up to now, I have been fairly happy with them, as they suit my needs: the PAYG credit does not expire, and can be used for all the usual services, e.g. SMS, MMS, web browsing.
I only use it as an emergency phone (though always make a call every two months to keep the account live). My credit has sat at just under £20 for the last couple of years, and the account has stayed healthy.

Then, today, I get a text saying:
IMPORTANT. YOUR FREE CREDIT WITH TPO SERVICE WILL EXPIRE ON 28 JUNE. TO KEEP YOUR NUMBER ALIVE, PLEASE TOP UP ON OR BEFORE 27 JUNE.

This gives jusy 4 days notice !

I realise that all mobile service suppliers require that a number be used every three months or so, to ensure that it hasn't been discarded / lost, but to seize a user's credit and confiscate their number when their account is healthy, seem to be nothing short of a scam, if not simply illegal.

Have any other TPO users had the same treatment?
I would welcome views on its moral standing

mobilejunkie

You're lucky it lasted for two years.

sdduk

mobilejunkie wrote: »

You're lucky it lasted for two years.

Why?
As long as you are making a call every 4-6mths then the credit should last you for years.
I have a Three sim that i have had for about 7yrs and its never been topped-up but its still going strong i also have a virgin sim that i have had for something like 6yrs which i don't top-up but i still have about 50p where i ring now and then for under 1 min.

mobilejunkie

Some providers now delete the credit after a certain period whether it's used or not.

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5473248

Ian011

Mobile networks are waking up and beginning to realise that users who top up with £5 and then make it last five years, and expect to have an active line throughout that time, are costing the network much more than the network is receiving in revenue. Unlike landlines, there is no base monthly charge for having an active line on a mobile phone. This situation may well change over the next few years.

sdduk

Just been reading there terms and conditions and come across this.

8. Our rights to suspend or cancel the Services

you have not used the Services, or topped up your account, for more than 3months. We will send you a text before we permanently deactivate your SIM and number allocated to you;

There's money on the account so doesn't need topping up but looking at that it means you must top-up at least every 3 mths or so.
And there minimum top-up is £10

sdduk

Ian011 wrote: »

Mobile networks are waking up and beginning to realise that users who top up with £5 and then make it last five years, and expect to have an active line throughout that time, are costing the network much more than the network is receiving in revenue. Unlike landlines, there is no base monthly charge for having an active line on a mobile phone. This situation may well change over the next few years.

Looks like its already started delight mobile and now TPO who's going to be next but can see there point being they are running out of numbers to give people.

gardner1

YoungWoden wrote: »

The People's Operator (TPO) is a small mobile phone outfit currently using the EE network, and charging fairly low rates for calls, texte and data.

They call themselves 'The caring network because they donate some of their profits to charity.
Up to now, I have been fairly happy with them, as they suit my needs: the PAYG credit does not expire, and can be used for all the usual services, e.g. SMS, MMS, web browsing.
I only use it as an emergency phone (though always make a call every two months to keep the account live). My credit has sat at just under £20 for the last couple of years, and the account has stayed healthy.

Then, today, I get a text saying:
IMPORTANT. YOUR FREE CREDIT WITH TPO SERVICE WILL EXPIRE ON 28 JUNE. TO KEEP YOUR NUMBER ALIVE, PLEASE TOP UP ON OR BEFORE 27 JUNE.

This gives jusy 4 days notice !

I realise that all mobile service suppliers require that a number be used every three months or so, to ensure that it hasn't been discarded / lost, but to seize a user's credit and confiscate their number when their account is healthy, seem to be nothing short of a scam, if not simply illegal.

Have any other TPO users had the same treatment?
I would welcome views on its moral standing

got the same text today...only gets used on holiday and every 2/3 months to keep active, have about £6 credit

gardner1

"· you have not used the Services, or topped up your account, for more than 3 months"

so is that...not used services and topped up....its a bit misleading

sdduk

gardner1 wrote: »

"· you have not used the Services, or topped up your account, for more than 3 months"

so is that...not used services and topped up....its a bit misleading

Yes agree the only way to find out is to give them a ring and see what they say but it does look like you have to top-up about every 3mths.

Saeed

I received a text a few hrs after that said that the disconnection text was sent by mistake and that they are switching to 4g network in July blah blah.

Anyone else received it? I have been using my TPO sim as my main number, but haven't topped up as I had £10 free credit.

I hope it is a mistaken text as it doesn't give us any time to port out!