T-Mobile / EE pain - Time to change?

Terron

I have been on a T-Mobile PAYG scheme ever since I first bought a mobile. For much of that time I have been on the TALK plan. If I top up £10 I get 100 free minutes the next month. £15 and I also get 500M of data.That is enough for me most months. The top up goes unused until I forget to top up or have an unsually busy month, or just wanted to use up the credit. Effectibely most months are free.

Before this month this had work automatically everytime except once.

Last month I did not get the messages about the free usage when I topped up. I checked today and I was been charged for data. I checked online and the description of the plan had not change. I struggled with EE's menu system until I got through to a person. He said that from now on I will have to phone every month to get the free minutes and texts added.

Looks like it is time to think about changing. I was considering buying a new phone soon anyway. Currently I have a Samsun Galaxy S4 Note Mini. I want to keep the same number I have had for 20 years.

I've used the network availanility tool and Vodaphone does not get a tick for my home.

I am working my way through the guides, but any hints would be appreciated

eDicky

Look for the cheapest SIM-only tariff currently available that does not use Vodafone, no more than £5-6 for your minimal use, but don't sign up yet.

Call EE and say you're leaving and need your PAC (to transfer your number). You'll be put through to the department for this, and be asked what you are moving to. When you tell them, they are likely to offer a similar EE SIM-only deal, discounted in order to retain you as a customer.

If not, take your PAC, sign up with the new provider and give it to them, or if EE make an offer that you need time to think about you can take the PAC decide later.

Find the best deal for a new handset of your choice, unlocked for future flexibility.

pmduk

It's definitely time to change, you're paying through the nose for what you're receiving.

d123

Terron wrote: »

I have a Samsun Galaxy S4 Note Mini.

You might want to check your model again, I'm pretty sure there has never been a Samsung Galaxy S4 Note Mini.

Terron

d123 wrote: »

You might want to check your model again, I'm pretty sure there has never been a Samsung Galaxy S4 Note Mini.

Galaxy S4 mni

d123

Terron wrote: »

Galaxy S4 mni

There is no reason why either model of the S4 Mini released in the UK wouldn't work on Vodafone (though of course there are plenty of reasons why you shouldn't be on Vodafone ).

Terron

pmduk wrote: »

It's definitely time to change, you're paying through the nose for what you're receiving.

Surely that depends on the proportion of use I get that is free and the proportion that I pay for. Yes when I have to pay the rates are high and have increased, but mostly I don't pay. I can build up quite high balances with topping up every month and not using any of the top up.

Most months I don't use my phone much, but around once a year I do. So I need to compare getting a very cheap plan and payin g more during peak months, or paying for one that covers the peaks.. It does look like a SIM only deal will be cheaper than my current one.

Farway

If your current phone is locked to Voda, now would be a good time to get free unlock code from them, before you jump ship

At least this will give you an unlocked phone for maybe a spare or sell

d123

Farway wrote: »

If your current phone is locked to Voda, now would be a good time to get free unlock code from them, before you jump ship

At least this will give you an unlocked phone for maybe a spare or sell

How would he have been on T-Mobile for 20 years if the phone was locked to Vodafone?

Neil49

Plusnet are constantly having various deals on sim only packages and are worth checking out.

They use the EE network so you shouldn't have any problems with a signal.

Latest low cost offering is 500 MB of data plus unlimited calls and texts for £6 a month on a 30 day rolling contract.

I'm currently on 1.5 gb of data plus 500 mins of calls and unlimited texts for the same cost.

d123

Neil49 wrote: »

Plusnet are constantly having various deals on sim only packages and are worth checking out.

They use the EE network so you shouldn't have any problems with a signal.

Latest low cost offering is 500 MB of data plus unlimited calls and texts for £6 a month on a 30 day rolling contract.

I'm currently on 1.5 gb of data plus 500 mins of calls and unlimited texts for the same cost.

Plusnet have lost their competitive edge if that's all they're offering now.

I recently changed my EE plan and was offered unlimited minutes and texts with 1GB of data for £5 or with 4GB of data for £8.

As OP is currently on T-Mobile/EE he might be able to get similar when he phones in for his PAC.