Mobile phones--luxury or necessity?

Doom_and_Gloom

dori2o wrote: »

As for mobile phones, you can get many tarrifs now, both with a new phone and as sim only that are as cheap/cheaper than landline contracts.

Mine for example is £20 a month with unlimited calls and 4gb internet.

My phone is new but isnt one of the most upto date models, its (was when I got it) approx 18months old in terms of the newest phones and it isnt one of the top (or wasnt at the time) one of the top recognised brands (Honor, made by Huwei) , but it does everything I want it to do.

A telephone is a necessity, therefore in similar circumstances I'd say that's acceptable, i.e cheap tarrif/phone/sim only. But as others have said £50+ tarrifs just to secure the latest phone etc is not a necessity.

Just found this strange as I have an honor phone, honour 6 plus, which is over 3 years old coming up to 4 years old. I originally had it on a contract plan, it was £36 and that paid for phone and usage (needed new phone and it worked out reasonable this way vs buying phone and SIM contract at the time). After the 2 year contract moved it onto a SIM only contract. £18 for all you can eat texts and phone calls, 30GB data (as a bonus all can be used as hotspot). My phone works fine so no point upgrading it. I won't get a new phone until this one dies.

I agree that the £50+ on single phone contracts are not necessary. However the poster this thread inspired stated £18 each I believe. That isn't obscene in my honest opinion. As stated mobiles are a cheaper option to also having home phone As well as home net connection with the added bonus that you are able to contact people basically anywhere you are.
They are also on ESA making them more likely to be vulnerable so a mobile is essential.

Doom_and_Gloom

indesisiv wrote: »

Internet I would have to argue is essential. The phone not so much.
Even for those without jobs, a lot of the jobs are only available to apply for through online systems. At our place we currently have nearly 200 job vacancies out for advert, so that potentially is a massive number of jobs you are missing out on.

Phones not essential? For my job I had a phone call interview that I had to pass before the face to face. Many employers do this now.
The internet was essential for applying for the job too as you could only apply online. I did this on my tablet but could have done it all via my phone.

pineapple

Doom_and_Gloom wrote: »

Phones not essential? For my job I had a phone call interview that I had to pass before the face to face. Many employers do this now.
The internet was essential for applying for the job too as you could only apply online. I did this on my tablet but could have done it all via my phone.

I think by 'phone they possibly mean mobile? I can't think that anyone would argue that you don't need any sort of 'phone.
As for internet, whether personal internet is 'essential' depends on your circumstances. If you need it for job searches/applications, you could manage if there is some community provision in the area. Granted it's not ideal though. During my time without internet, I travelled to a market town 10 miles away to access the library internet - which was a lot less than ideal! Where I am now, I am further away than ever from resources so I would struggle. But that's because of my lifestyle - forums, online shopping, product comparisons, diy/gardening guides, email etc etc. Yet my neighbours manage perfectly well without all that.

KxMx

I think a contract phone and WiFi package is a bit excessive. I appreciate the contract figure discussed here is fairly reasonable.

I've never had a contract phone, I save up for a new SIM free handset every 2-3 years. My last two have been 50% paid for with vouchers earned for doing surveys. So I paid in cash £30 a few years ago for a very basic smartphone and £90 a few months ago for the most basic Samsung Galaxy.

I am a light user, with home WiFi (£28 pm, standard BB with anytime UK landline/mobile calls included) I don't need anything other than cheap PAYG. Now with Three who do 3p calls, 2p texts and 1p per MB of data.

They have a good rewards app, Wuntu, and last month I got a free cupcake & £3 cinema ticket, so about £7 worth of value.

I run it off WiFi 95% of the time and my last £5 top up was July 2017, current balance £3.21.

Like the poster that inspired this thread I am also disabled, on ESA and at home for large amounts of time.

indesisiv

Doom_and_Gloom wrote: »

Phones not essential? For my job I had a phone call interview that I had to pass before the face to face. Many employers do this now.
The internet was essential for applying for the job too as you could only apply online. I did this on my tablet but could have done it all via my phone.

pineapple wrote: »

I think by 'phone they possibly mean mobile? I can't think that anyone would argue that you don't need any sort of 'phone.

I was thinking more in terms of included minutes. We use video calling for "pre-interviews" rather than a telephone calls.

indesisiv

KxMx wrote: »

I think a contract phone and WiFi package is a bit excessive. I appreciate the contract figure discussed here is fairly reasonable.

....snip....

I am a light user, with home WiFi (£28 pm, standard BB with anytime UK landline/mobile calls included) I don't need anything other than cheap PAYG. Now with Three who do 3p calls, 2p texts and 1p per MB of data.

I have a SIM only phone at £13 a month (1 month rolling contract with 4GB of data) to keep me ticking along when out and about. But I also need to have home broadband too which is £42 (The cheapest I can get)

I wouldn't say that having both is excessive as I need to have access to data whilst out of the house.

KxMx

I think that's a good deal for the amount of data, and if you need it and use it then fair enough.

I spend the majority of time at home though and the poster that inspired this thread says they never go out at all.

So in those circumstances I still consider a contract phone and home WiFi a bit excessive.

I maybe wasn't clear enough in my other post about the circumstances

donnajunkie

Evidence for jobseeking is a grey area. I say that because i am pretty sure the regulations state you can demonstrate what you do in any way you choose, even verbally. Jobcentre advisers who say you must show it online are being dishonest. They are the ones who liked to make out allowing access to ujm was an obligation. I wonder what they do now because the new site has no function for allowing them access.
I would never give a mobile number to an employer or jobcentre. Being on call to them would be horrible. Although regarding your job i guess in certain circumstances it can be justified to require it of you. But with the jobcentres all it takes is for you to miss a call from them and they could sanction you for not being contactable. Why give them that power?

parkrunner

To answer the original question, for some people it's a necessity for others it isn't.

pineapple

parkrunner wrote: »

To answer the original question, for some people it's a necessity for others it isn't.

Ha ha yes!