Plusnet sim only deal ..What are the downsides

TOP_CAT

Im with o2 on a £11.00 per month rolling sim only contract which works fine in london and overseas previously in the past.

I was considering the Plusnet offer as a cheaper option and wondered what the negatives/downsides might be vs o2 ?

Prevously I used my ph in europe and worldwide but this travel is far far less often now 
The contract below is a about £60 per year saving 
I dont use alot of data at all .
Any thoughts on plusnet mobile ?

https://www.plus.net/mobile/deals/sim-only-12-month/7/4GB/unl/unl/MSE/25/Aug21?utm_source=Awin&utm_medium=mbl-affiliate&utm_content=4GB&utm_Campaign=12m_4GB_unl_unl_7&mkt_id=con_pn_dg-mob_awin_aff&utm_medium=affiliate-mbl&awc=6535_1628978243_95efd366da57eb16b2e42bc7abaa2402

jnm21

Looks like a decent low use deal.

I believe that Plusnet is 4G only, but in my experience EE 4G is vastly better than O2.  They may not have voice over wifi/LTE. 

oldagetraveller1

It is a 12 months minimum term, as mentioned. That would put me off right away.

I prefer a rolling monthly package.

PN don't use EE's full network either.

jnm21

"PN don't use EE's full network either."  Can you explain what you mean?  I already stated they don't have 5G (which this could mean).  I suspect you may mean that 4G is speed capped &/or does not have access to all the bands (e.g. band 20).

tinker411

jnm21 said:

"PN don't use EE's full network either."  Can you explain what you mean?  I already stated they don't have 5G (which this could mean).  I suspect you may mean that 4G is speed capped &/or does not have access to all the bands (e.g. band 20).

Well, despite being part of BT/EE, Plusnet mobile does not have the following at this time:

5G access (as you mention)
Band 20 access on 4G
WiFi Calling
4G Calling
The ability to send texts to short code numbers (e.g. 81199).

I don't honestly know if there's a data speed cap on it but I wouldn't be surprised if there was one as, service wise, Plusnet seems a bit of an unloved child at times within the group.

JenB79

OP, Uswitch were doing an exclusive O2 sim only plan for £6/m with 5gb data and unlimited calls/texts, on a 12 month contract. It seems to have disappeared but keep checking Uswitch as it may come back at anytime. Alternatively, another USwitch exclusive is EE sim only plan for £10/m with 10gb data and unlimited calls/text, again on a 12 month contract.

https://www.uswitch.com/mobiles/compare/sim_only_deals/

TOP_CAT

Im a simple user these days so dont need alot of bells ,whistles or data .

I first saw Sky advertising a £6 per month tariff but unlike other utilitys I dont tend to follow mobile tariff pricing so am not up to speed

The USwitch O2 5gb suggestion is one I will look for /follow as Im with o2  at £11.00.
Its not a great difference in cost but keeping all the utility bills as low as poss adds up so thats the idea..
 
I recently switched broadband from Sky to Plusnet so this is why the plusnet offer was seen/noted.

This plusnet 12mth contract may find regret with some of the following features Im not sure to what degree or If i want to find out over 12 months

5G access (as you mention)

Band 20 access on 4G

WiFi Calling

4G Calling

The ability to send texts to short code numbers (e.g. 81199).

jnm21

Uswitch are on TCB - hope it is OK to post it... https://www.topcashback.co.uk/uswitch-mobile-comparison/

I would also recommend Lebara, but they have most of the same drawbacks as Plusnet (I believe they do get full 4G network access & may be getting 5G and some of the others now/soon).

If you dig around on here & Uswitch you can have 3GB for £4.95, 5GB for £5.95 & 10GB for £6.95, all with unlimited UK calls/texts plus 100 minutes to 41 countries!  All 30 day, pre-paid arrangements with no commitment or credit check.

tinker411

TOP_CAT said:

Im a simple user these days so dont need alot of bells ,whistles or data .

I first saw Sky advertising a £6 per month tariff but unlike other utilitys I dont tend to follow mobile tariff pricing so am not up to speed

The USwitch O2 5gb suggestion is one I will look for /follow as Im with o2  at £11.00.
Its not a great difference in cost but keeping all the utility bills as low as poss adds up so thats the idea..
 
I recently switched broadband from Sky to Plusnet so this is why the plusnet offer was seen/noted.

This plusnet 12mth contract may find regret with some of the following features Im not sure to what degree or If i want to find out over 12 months

5G access (as you mention)

Band 20 access on 4G

WiFi Calling

4G Calling

The ability to send texts to short code numbers (e.g. 81199).

Yeah, out of the list of things Plusnet don't have, the lack of access to text short code numbers is probably the one that could cause most issues, especially with the range of organisations that have short code text numbers. Ultimately though it would depend on how you use your phone day to day on how much it (or any of the others) would affect you.

Recommendation wise, if you're happy with O2 signal then your best bet is either hanging on for the O2 5GB for £6 Uswitch offer or, maybe, going for Sky Mobile's 8GB for £8 offer which is live now. It's a 12 month term, and you can get more for the same money elsewhere, but you can change tariff up and down each month, and also any data you don't use in a month you keep in a kind of data 'piggybank' to use later (within 3 years).

If you're not happy with O2 signal though, or aren't fussed either way, then there's Lebara who run on Vodafone (prices mentioned in the post above). Low prices, and they have the full Vodafone service too except for 4G Calling and WiFi Calling (they do have 5G though).

TOP_CAT

Does the meaning of short codes apply to one time passwords ie. banking codes that are sent ?

I use these regularly from a number of banks ,so if they are short codes then I certainly need that short code facility with a mobile provider .....would have thought everyone does ?

The other points Im not sure on if I use them or how much if so .
 I need to google for a better understanding .

With roaming charges looming it may be another reason to wait for the o2 uswitch offer .
Should have asked this question and switched long ago in hindsight !

The UK model is now that you have to fight over every bill/utility every 12 or 18mths or otherwise you pay way over the top and that is acceptable ?
Not alot you can do about it except get busy finding a better deal so thanks for all the replys and info .

Bob_Uppendown

TOP_CAT said:

Does the meaning of short codes apply to one time passwords ie. banking codes that are sent ?

I use these regularly from a number of banks ,so if they are short codes then I certainly need that short code facility with a mobile provider .....would have thought everyone does ?

The other points Im not sure on if I use them or how much if so .
 I need to google for a better understanding .

With roaming charges looming it may be another reason to wait for the o2 uswitch offer .
Should have asked this question and switched long ago in hindsight !

The UK model is now that you have to fight over every bill/utility every 12 or 18mths or otherwise you pay way over the top and that is acceptable ?
Not alot you can do about it except get busy finding a better deal so thanks for all the replys and info .

I'm on Plusnet, and receive one time bank texts with no problems.

As regards roaming charges, Plusnet aren't one of the networks that have said they are reintroducing charges. 

They might, of course, but I don't think they're any more likely to than any other operator.