Protection for my Android phone

bob_a_builder

Go SIM only !   - They provide cheaper deals by piggybacking onto the major networks

Just buy the phone you like / need 

And go SIM only - no need to be tied into any contract at all 
Lebara do a 25gb SIM for £10 / month, or 5G for a £5/ month.  - But process will be v.similar for any SIM only deal
https://www.lebara.co.uk/en/home.html   (price guide)

To transfer your number to new SIM..... you need a PAC code for current provider to give to new provide
Get your existing PAC code by texting 'PAC' to 65075 from your current phone

Then put new sim in the new phone, give new provider the PAC code info provided above 
https://www.lebara.co.uk/en/port-number   ( porting number info)

Don't forget to cancel any payments/DDs to old provider

Then off you go ......

NOTE : YOU CAN GET BETTER PRICING VIA MSE SITE
https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/cheap-mobile-finder/sim-only/
i.e  15GB for £4 / month  - either with Lebara (Vodaphone)  or ID (Three) 

oldernonethewiser

Websites showing signal coverage are just an indication of what might be available, a good starting point but no guarantee of real world situations. 

FDa65rdk

oldernonethewiser said:

Websites showing signal coverage are just an indication of what might be available, a good starting point but no guarantee of real world situations. 

Thank you. What would you advise instead of referring to these websites?

FDa65rdk

bob_a_builder said:

Go SIM only !   - They provide cheaper deals by piggybacking onto the major networks

Just buy the phone you like / need 

And go SIM only - no need to be tied into any contract at all

Thank you.

Would this mean having to pay for the phone upfront?

Emmia

FDa65rdk said:

bob_a_builder said:

Go SIM only !   - They provide cheaper deals by piggybacking onto the major networks

Just buy the phone you like / need 

And go SIM only - no need to be tied into any contract at all

Thank you.

Would this mean having to pay for the phone upfront?

Yes, you'd pay for the phone upfront or separately from the contract (for example a pay in 3 arrangement)

oldernonethewiser

FDa65rdk said:

oldernonethewiser said:

Websites showing signal coverage are just an indication of what might be available, a good starting point but no guarantee of real world situations. 

Thank you. What would you advise instead of referring to these websites?

If I want to know what the real signal was likely to be I would get a free or cheap SIM from any provider I was interested in, put it in my phone and wander about to see what the signal was like.

I have done this.

FDa65rdk

bob_a_builder said:

Don't forget to cancel any payments/DDs to old provider

My Vodafone online account states that I have an airtime plan for £24.68 a month with 120GB red data and 40GB additional data and that the 24-month contract ended in March.

Does this mean that I can just use online banking to cancel the payment or would I need to notify them as well that the payments were going to be stopped?

flaneurs_lobster

FDa65rdk said:

bob_a_builder said:

Don't forget to cancel any payments/DDs to old provider

My Vodafone online account states that I have an airtime plan for £24.68 a month with 120GB red data and 40GB additional data and that the 24-month contract ended in March.

Does this mean that I can just use online banking to cancel the payment or would I need to notify them as well that the payments were going to be stopped?

You need to give notice to Vodafone if you want to cease the mobile service, it's probably a month. However if you want to move your number to a new provider then you obtain a PAC (code) from Vodafone and give it to your new service, when this swap is actioned then your contract with Vodafone ceases without any notice required.

Don't cancel any DD as it will be used to process any part-month refund due. 

chrisw

Usually when you contact them to cancel, they will try and persuade you to stay with various offers. If you're happy with the existing signal, it might be simplest just to stay with them and then all you need to do is put the sim in your new phone.

flaneurs_lobster

You might also consider an "upgrade" via a third party. If you are OK with claiming cashback every couple of months then a Vodafone Red 12 mth contract for 120GB is available at mobiles.co.uk for £5.50/mth, increasing by £1.80 next April. 200GB is £6. 

No cancelling contracts, no giving notice, no PACs.