Best Mobile provider 24 May 2021 at 4:43PM in Mobiles 8 replies 272 views

Ellington

I have always been with Virgin sim only but recently have not been able to make phone calls on 2 occasions because they say I have no credit yet I had over 4000 minutes 
it took time to resolve the “ issue “ 
I am thinking of changing provider but do not wish to jump from
frying pan into fire 
Any recommendations would be much appreciated 

Neil_Jones

Ellington said:

I have always been with Virgin sim only but recently have not been able to make phone calls on 2 occasions because they say I have no credit yet I had over 4000 minutes 
it took time to resolve the “ issue “ 
I am thinking of changing provider but do not wish to jump from
frying pan into fire 
Any recommendations would be much appreciated 

Well as there are only four mobile networks and the smaller providers piggy-back on one of those four:

https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/mobiles/piggybacking/

Virgin can piggy back onto either EE or Vodafone - Those who joined/join Virgin Mobile on a Sim-only or 5G contract deal from mid-January will get Vodafone's signal. Most existing customers (or those on other deals) will still be on the EE network, until they're moved over to Vodafone later in 2021.

So if you're on EE or Vodafone via Virgin the first thing to do is to get some free sims from the other three networks and see what sort of signal you get.  Its pointless getting a sim for Three (or somebody that piggybacks onto Three) if you don't get a Three signal where you are.

Ellington

Many thanks for your help

Supatramp

Won't it be O2, the buy out has been approved by the Monopolies board?

Grumpy_chap

I am with Tesco mobile and have been for many years.  They piggy-back onto the O2 network, so fantastic coverage.  I have always found the price-structure to be simple and competitive and customer service to be good.  One really good thing, is when you come to the end of the agreed term "lock-in", the rate just carries on at the same level until you choose of your own free will to pick a more competitive rate if one comes along.  I have my own phone (owned) and use SIM-only contract.

wild666

Depending on how much data you use GiffGaff have monthly options from £6 per month. 

sdduk

Neil_Jones said:

Ellington said:

I have always been with Virgin sim only but recently have not been able to make phone calls on 2 occasions because they say I have no credit yet I had over 4000 minutes 
it took time to resolve the “ issue “ 
I am thinking of changing provider but do not wish to jump from
frying pan into fire 
Any recommendations would be much appreciated 

Well as there are only four mobile networks and the smaller providers piggy-back on one of those four:

https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/mobiles/piggybacking/

Virgin can piggy back onto either EE or Vodafone - Those who joined/join Virgin Mobile on a Sim-only or 5G contract deal from mid-January will get Vodafone's signal. Most existing customers (or those on other deals) will still be on the EE network, until they're moved over to Vodafone later in 2021.

So if you're on EE or Vodafone via Virgin the first thing to do is to get some free sims from the other three networks and see what sort of signal you get.  Its pointless getting a sim for Three (or somebody that piggybacks onto Three) if you don't get a Three signal where you are.

Virgin are now part of O2 but are using the Vodafone 5g for now because they don't have any..
https://www.o2.co.uk/virgin-media-o2

Rodders53

sdduk said:

Virgin are now part of O2 they are nothing to do with Vodafone....I had a text from O2 to say Virgin have now merged with them.

Virgin as a MVNO are still piggybacking on EE network and moving over to Vodafone network at the moment, though (and will continue to do so for some time).
  
Allegedly they have a contract to 2026 with Vodafone so any move to O2 network (needing yet more new sims) would need a break clause or contract pay-off;  plus yet more upheaval for migrated customers.
So that may not happen until nearing the end of that Vodafone contract?

sdduk

Rodders53 said:

sdduk said:

Virgin are now part of O2 they are nothing to do with Vodafone....I had a text from O2 to say Virgin have now merged with them.

Virgin as a MVNO are still piggybacking on EE network and moving over to Vodafone network at the moment, though (and will continue to do so for some time).
  
Allegedly they have a contract to 2026 with Vodafone so any move to O2 network (needing yet more new sims) would need a break clause or contract pay-off;  plus yet more upheaval for migrated customers.
So that may not happen until nearing the end of that Vodafone contract?

They are using the 5g off of vodafone for now because they don't have any.
it's very confusing being they pulled out of a deal from vodafone before they done the deal with O2. and what will happen next is Sky will jump ship to one of the other main providers.
 https://www.o2.co.uk/virgin-media-o2