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savergrant

goodValue said:

I had a further look at 1pmobile and found that site useful.
I might be able to use it as PAYG without falling foul of the complexities of their pricing, but would need to tether for less than a GB each month.
I've found it difficult to find details from them and Now and RWG, on how to make payments.
For example, do you need to make payment with a credit/debit card, or can you use your bank details for a DD or SO.

Almost all providers now use recurring card payments for bundles and autotopup. Lebara accept PayPal which you could setup a direct debit for by using the 'add a bank account' option. I don't know if anyone else does. Rwg/now you can topup by voucher and then convert credit but it isn't the simplest of options.

savergrant

What is your current level of usage (mins texts mb), what you use on average. and how consistent is it?
If you are a very light user 1pmobile might not be the best option but if you average 250 units per month it could be ideal.

goodValue

My usage is very low, but inconsistent.
It would be below 250 per month except for when I have customer service problems.

Is there any reason DD's and SO's aren't used?
I read a few years ago of people having problems with recurring card payments. They thought they had set up a DD but found that somehow they were not able to cancel and had to keep on making payments.
Is this similar, or was the ability to cancel service eventually allowed?

savergrant

I would guess that card payments are more secure (as you need info from the card and also now it is usual to have an automated call or text to your registered phone to authorise). It is harder to cancel but stopping a payment at the bank is not that great an idea as it can lead to payment defaults. Worst case scenario port your number away and no further payments will be taken.

savergrant

Your main options are;

1pmobile;
 Topup £10 every 120 days mins/texts/mb charged at 1p each

 Topup £30 for 365 days. Same charges

 Pay £36 for unltd calls and texts, 250mb data per month

RWG;
 Pay £20 for a year of 250 mins + texts and 2gb data per month (additional usage charged at 5p/5p/1p from a credit balance)

 Pay £35 for 2 years at same rate

 Pay £2pm for 100/100/750mb
 Pay £3.50 pm for unltd calls and texts and 2gb pm

 Topup £5 and pay 5p/5p/1p until out of credit.

If you rarely need to make long calls you could go for the £5 topup payg and then buy a one-off bundle (just tell them when you buy it not to renew) which should activate in a few minutes so you can then use your allowance for the call. But if your regular usage is around 200 mins pm you are probably best off paying upfront for 12 or 24 months.

goodValue

I'm tempted to go for one of the PAYG deals, but still have not heard anything else from PlusNet.
I will just have to add a bundle if I need more than expected in the first few months.

I used a monthly DD with PlusNet to get interest on a current account, but it seems like I will not be able to arrange another DD.
I looked into the recurring card payments, and they are called CPA's (continuous payment authority?), and are now different from what I read a few years ago. Your bank is now obliged to cancel if you request it.