Suggestions for new Phone Network provider

collinsca

Hi

I have been with Vodafone for over 25 years.

I currently have 20GB and I use on average 8GB data, and occasionally go over.

I have paid off my iphone over the last 2 years and from tomorrow I can change my Airtime contract to SIM only. I currently pay £20.82.

I was expecting to be offered something like £5 per month as a valued customer of over 25 years.
I made contact yesterday and was offered £16.15 with 10GB.
Barely £4 less than im paying with HALF the data.
I was shocked...
Am i wrong, is this a good deal?

So, it doesn't look like i'm going to get a good deal with Vodafone!
I did see an offer for Vodafone online (see below) but the advisor on chat said that means i wont be able to keep my number...! In 2025, when i believe porting numbers is often free, i couldn't believe what i was hearing... Why is it I would not be able to keep my number?

Do people recommend Lebara?
The vodafone assistant was trying to convince me that Lebara was no good! Yet, i see on Trustpilot they have a better rating than Vodafone!

Any other recommendations?

I want to keep roaming as i go abroad every couple of years, but i guess i could add that on "as and when".
Dont need international calls.




Thanks

flaneurs_lobster

Check out upgrade deals from mobiles.co.uk

https://www.mobiles.co.uk/sim-only/vodafone-upgrades

PZ19

O2 offer free roaming I believe.  You are best checking coverage in places you are likely to be on ther various networks first , then look on uswitch for sim only deals 

TadleyBaggie

If you are happy with the Vodafone coverage, check out Lebara. They also over free European roaming. Used them for several years and been very happy with them.

ButterCheese

I'm with ID Mobile who use the 3mobile network.  Very good prices, I get unlimted calls, 100GB data and free EU roaming for £16/month.  You could probably get a bit cheaper if you don't want so much data.  

Regarding the new number - they are trying to scare you into not leaving them.  All that needs to happen is, yo get your new SIM with a different number, you get the Porting Authorization Code (PAC) from Vodafone and ask your new provider to port your new number to your old one, so you can keep your old number.  I can't remember if they are obliged to do this for free, but if there's a charge I think it's only the price of a normal text + £3 or something if you request it via text.  if you ring up I think it's free

collinsca

ButterCheese said:

I'm with ID Mobile who use the 3mobile network.  Very good prices, I get unlimted calls, 100GB data and free EU roaming for £16/month.  You could probably get a bit cheaper if you don't want so much data.  

Regarding the new number - they are trying to scare you into not leaving them.  All that needs to happen is, yo get your new SIM with a different number, you get the Porting Authorization Code (PAC) from Vodafone and ask your new provider to port your new number to your old one, so you can keep your old number.  I can't remember if they are obliged to do this for free, but if there's a charge I think it's only the price of a normal text + £3 or something if you request it via text.  if you ring up I think it's free

Thanks - what they said about not keeping my number didn't sound right! Scammers really!

collinsca

Spoke to "retentions" today....

The advisor said "oh, theres some confusion...." so i thought great, theyre going to offer me something better...
but no.... "the deal we offered is WITHOUT roaming"!
So, even worse deal than id thought!

They would not budge...
Just said to keep my eyes open for Black Friday deals in November!

Also said id be charged £55 if i tried to leave before december... i had not realised that as i was now able to get a "SIM only" deal, i was still locked in with Vodafone... shouldve checked.. oh well.. im locked in til Dec... plenty of time to decide on a better deal.. so much for 25+ years of loyalty!

J_B

collinsca said:

I was expecting to be offered something like £5 per month as a valued customer of over 25 years.

Valued customer doesn't wash sadly!

TadleyBaggie said:

If you are happy with the Vodafone coverage, check out Lebara. They also over free European roaming. Used them for several years and been very happy with them.

You could always move to Lebara and if you don't like it, then you're free to rejoin Voda as a "new customer" after a month!

collinsca

J_B said:

collinsca said:

I was expecting to be offered something like £5 per month as a valued customer of over 25 years.

Valued customer doesn't wash sadly!

TadleyBaggie said:

If you are happy with the Vodafone coverage, check out Lebara. They also over free European roaming. Used them for several years and been very happy with them.

You could always move to Lebara and if you don't like it, then you're free to rejoin Voda as a "new customer" after a month!

Ah, i did not know it was only a month! thanks.