Phone question

Enji_Benji

Hi,

I have an 18 month contract with Orange, ending in May. When I signed up in Dec 2007, I got a Sony Ericsson w850i with it.

I believe I should be able to upgrade now (probably should have done it last month). However there is a problem.

In September, I will be moving away from here for 1 year to Japan. In Japan, you can ONLY use Japanese phones due to a different mobile system.

So I'm just wondering what you think I should do?

I still want to have a phone because I call my girlfriend quite a lot. I have no idea about pay as you go, but if I'm talking around 500 minutes a month on the phone to my girlfriend, then I'm guessing it's not the best idea.

Appreciate any help

agsnu

Get a SIM-only contract like O2 Simplicity or T-Mobile Just SIM.

reehsetin

orange also sim only contracts, just talk to the upgrades team about it they should be able to advise you

you can get 700mins and unlimited texts for £25
or 500min and 100texts for £20

but if your gfs on orange you'll get magic numbers with these anyway and can go down to £15 per month either 200min and 300text or 325min and 100texts

Enji_Benji

Are SIM only contracts paid for each month?

So if I completely stop using the sim card after August, I won't get charged anymore?

allthatmularky

Any number of options - yes SIM monthly deals are just that - pay monthly and cancel inside a month.

Vodafone - friends and family deal might be good if your calls are mostly to you GF - its only a fiver a month

http://online.vodafone.co.uk/dispatch/Portal/appmanager/vodafone/wrp?_nfpb=true&_pageLabel=template10&pageID=PPP_0039&wt_oss=family

Enji_Benji

Should have mentioned that my gf lives abroad.

I do use Rebtel to call her for 1.7p a minute.

Unfortunately the magic numbers/special numbers thing is out the window

allthatmularky

Use one of the number forwarding numbers (that you already use - check the moneysaving tool on this site to find the cheapest provider to the country needed) and sign to to a paid monthly SIM deal.

elljay20

you need a japanese sim, because if you take a uk one you will be charged roaming rates which are really expensive for making and recieving calls.

just cancel your contract and start afresh out there

reehsetin

Enji_Benji wrote: »

Are SIM only contracts paid for each month?

So if I completely stop using the sim card after August, I won't get charged anymore?

they need 30 days notice so you'd need to give notice a month before you left to cancel it, otherwise its just like a contract it will keep carrying on

Enji_Benji

elljay20 wrote: »

you need a japanese sim, because if you take a uk one you will be charged roaming rates which are really expensive for making and recieving calls.

just cancel your contract and start afresh out there

Unfortunately it's not as easy as that.

In Japan, the text messaging among other things are different. For example, there is no such thing as text messaging in Japan, just emailing.

Which means when I'm in Japan, I will need a whole new phone.

I do think I'll do what was suggested, and go with the SIM only contract

Orange Racoon 25 - 800 mins and 100 texts for £25 a month is great for me.

Thanks for the help

elljay20

Enji_Benji wrote: »

Unfortunately it's not as easy as that.

In Japan, the text messaging among other things are different. For example, there is no such thing as text messaging in Japan, just emailing.

Which means when I'm in Japan, I will need a whole new phone.

I do think I'll do what was suggested, and go with the SIM only contract

Orange Racoon 25 - 800 mins and 100 texts for £25 a month is great for me.

Thanks for the help

okay, but if you take that out there with you then be prepared for the costs involved. it won't be cheap, and ona sim only deal, you may not be granted roaming. infact, i very much doubt you will