Mobile phone for an 82 year old

madlyn

My dad is considering getting rid of his landline with BT, he's paying around £18 line rental a month and makes a call maybe once a month.
He is open to getting a mobile to replace the land line, but it needs to be as basic as possible, having done a bit of research, DORO seem to fit the bill. But as he's never had a mobile before I'm guessing he'd have to go with a PAYG?

Does anyone have experience of using a DORO phone? and where do we start regarding a tariff? 

flaneurs_lobster

Before you look at tariffs you need to verify which mobile networks get decent coverage in your father's home where he uses the phone. 

Check with your mobile and anyone else who visits to see what they use and is the signal OK.

Neil49

Regarding the tariff you need to ascertain which networks have a decent signal where he lives. Once you know that then you can start looking at various providers. 

madlyn

Neil49 said:

Regarding the tariff you need to ascertain which networks have a decent signal where he lives. Once you know that then you can start looking at various providers. 

My sister and I are both on O2 and never have an issue with signal when we visit, I've just done a signal check and EE and O2 come out on top.

ballyblack

Tesco mobile uses o2 network so that may be cheaper

£7.50 a month Sim only unlimited calls

tacpot12

My Mum has a Doro flip phone with the Assistance Button on the back, which works well in case she has a fall. She has a case for it that she hangs on her belt so she always has it on her. 

Frozen_up_north

An elderly relative recently bought a Doro flip phone for her husband, not sure of the model but think it’s the Leva L20 at £89. The phone is plain awful to use, maybe basic calling is OK, but texting is poor compared to a touch screen phone and it costs only £10 less than a basic touch screen smart phone (eg a Motorola G35).

Traditional PAYG is rapidly vanishing. However, for £5 per month you can have unlimited calls and texts, that is with a monthly “top up” and no contract. Unfortunately the Doro has no meaningful internet, and most packages include some data and probably need an app, or web access, to keep an eye on the account.

1p Mobile have unlimited calls/texts and EU/Channel Is/Isle of Man roaming for £5 per month (EE network), GiffGaff (O2 network) have similar for £6 (only EU roaming).

madlyn

Frozen_up_north said:

An elderly relative recently bought a Doro flip phone for her husband, not sure of the model but think it’s the Leva L20 at £89. The phone is plain awful to use, maybe basic calling is OK, but texting is poor compared to a touch screen phone and it costs only £10 less than a basic touch screen smart phone (eg a Motorola G35).

Traditional PAYG is rapidly vanishing. However, for £5 per month you can have unlimited calls and texts, that is with a monthly “top up” and no contract. Unfortunately the Doro has no meaningful internet, and most packages include some data and probably need an app, or web access, to keep an eye on the account.

1p Mobile have unlimited calls/texts and EU/Channel Is/Isle of Man roaming for £5 per month (EE network), GiffGaff (O2 network) have similar for £6 (only EU roaming).

He is just going to have it for making and receiving calls, not texting or internet.

madlyn

tacpot12 said:

My Mum has a Doro flip phone with the Assistance Button on the back, which works well in case she has a fall. She has a case for it that she hangs on her belt so she always has it on her. 

That is one of the things that is attracting me to DORO, this would give my sister and I piece of mind, not only when dad is at home but also out and about.

elsien

86-year-old parent got on quite well with one of the lower range Samsung’s.
Think she now has an Oppo.
You might find to start using it more for other things when he’s got it - Parent certainly does. 

WhatsApp, for example 

On-the-coast

For peace of mind stick with a “sim only” deal and a low cost tariff - last thing you want is your parent struggling with top ups (unless they’re automatic)