How do I get a PAYG phone?

hev_2

Apologies, but I really can't understand how all these phone contracts and how to buy and upgrades work. I have left Carphone Warehouse in tears because I have been so confused by everything. Anything helpful you can tell me will be really gratefully received because I have no idea at all. OH isn't much better.

Can I just buy a PAYG, and if I do, how does it start working? How do I know its number and can I carry my old number over to the new phone? What happens to the old contract if I take my number to the new phone? What does unlocking mean? Is it something I would have to ask someone like Orange to do? What if I get the phone from somewhere like ebay, who does what to get it working? What will happen to the phone I have a contract with if I take the number to the new phone? Will I have to give proof of identity or have a credit check?

Current situation, we have been with Tmobile for nearly two years and are on a rolling contract. I do not understand the contract but we get so many minutes and then we pay extra for any usage over. OH took out the contract, it is all in his name, I have one phone and he has the other.

I want to get a PAYG phone to try and control my phone spending. Besides, my own phone is absolutely on its last legs because I have been playing patience on it nearly constantly for two years. I want to keep the same number because I have an elderly, easily confused relative who rings me at least once a day and I don't want to add to his confusion.

I rang Tmobile who confirmed that the contract could be stopped but started giving me lots of information about contracts. I really do have a blind spot about this and I can't remember anything about what they said, only that it was almost impossible to get off the phone!

IIRC Tmobile said that one number in the contract could be stopped while the other continued, but they were really pushing a sales pitch so does anyone believe this?

Reading through it, it sounds like a wind up but I am honestly this clueless - any help really gratefully received.

agsnu

hev wrote: »

Can I just buy a PAYG,

Do you mean a PAYG phone or a PAYG SIM card? Either way, the answer is yes.

and if I do, how does it start working?

You normally have to ring up to activate it, but it's all detailed inside.

How do I know its number

It'll normally be on the box/package or amongst the information given inside.

and can I carry my old number over to the new phone?

Yes. You need a "portability authorisation code" (PAC, pronounced "pack") in order to do this. You get this from the network you are moving from (T-Mobile) and give it to the network you are moving to. The exact procedure for how to do it depends on the network you are moving to, but they all have information on their web sites. Typically you'll get your new phone, with a new SIM, which will have a number associated with it. You ring up customer services, tell them the PAC, and then two working days later your phone goes dead for a few min and when it comes back your SIM magically has the old number moved over.

What happens to the old contract if I take my number to the new phone?

If you use your PAC, the contract will be terminated and your account closed when the port goes through. If you don't use a PAC, you will need to provide notice to close the account - the best way to do this is probably in writing, and ensure that you get written confirmation that the account is settled.

What does unlocking mean?

A lot of phones (especially PAYG phones) are supplied configured so that they will only accept SIM cards from one network. Unlocking removes this restriction so that you can use any SIM. Since it sounds like you want a new phone, this is probably irrelevant if you buy a phone from the network you are moving to.

Is it something I would have to ask someone like Orange to do?

If a phone is locked to a network, the only "supported" way that you will be able to unlock it is to ask the network it is locked to to provide you with a special unlock code. Depending on the phone, though, you may be able to get it unlocked from one of the dodgy shops which does mobile unlocking - these typically bypass the security restrictions on the phone by modifying the software. This may void the warranty on the phone, but will be cheaper.

What if I get the phone from somewhere like ebay, who does what to get it working?

Depends. If it's unlocked or locked to the same network that you're moving to, nothing needs to be done. Otherwise, you'll need to unlock it.

What will happen to the phone I have a contract with if I take the number to the new phone?

Nothing? It will still work. Since it's a T-Mobile phone, it will probably be locked to T-Mobile - so you can use any other T-Mobile SIM in it, or you could ask T-Mobile to give you the code - they charge £15 for this.

Will I have to give proof of identity or have a credit check?

No.

hev_2

Thank you so much for this - it really helps me a lot.

Sorry if I sounded dippy

You have put my mind at rest and made it all much clearer. Thank you again.

before_hollywood

hev wrote: »

What if I get the phone from somewhere like ebay, who does what to get it working? .

please do not by a phone from ebay :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek:

seriously i know more of the horror stories and know more about buying and selling phones than most

M4RKM

hev wrote: »

IIRC Tmobile said that one number in the contract could be stopped while the other continued, but they were really pushing a sales pitch so does anyone believe this?

Yes.. this is correct..
However, my thoughts are that if you're on a contract already, you'll probably end up spending more on PAYG, on the basis of that calls are more expensive. Do you know when you use, and what you use your mobile for?

Maybe the easiest thing, if you know you want to go onto PAYG, is to ask T-Mobile, to change your number onto PAYG with them, and purchase a phone through them. This negates the need to get a PAC code...

M

hev_2

Before Hollywood - given how clueless I am about mobiles I think it is a really good idea for me to stay away from ebay, now I think about it. Argos or somewhere like that will suit me.

Markymoo - my OH checks what I write on this site. However I will say that when I discussed going onto a PAYG with the nice man on the phone all I got was waves and waves of information about contracts. It is hard for me to prove my identity and I have no income so a credit check will be awkward. My current phone is in OH's name and I need a new handset.

M4RKM

hev....

my thought is if you're happy with the contract your OH has got, that you're on, and it is out of contract, why not just get an upgrade of your handset!

hev_2

Markymoo - thank you for helping me. I'm sorry if I'm coming over as a right awkward mare, but at the moment I would like a PAYG phone.

That doesn't mean I don't appreciate your advice or suggestions, and I will certainly consider the ideas later on if my situation changes.

Many thanks for your help.

M4RKM

no no.. you're not awkward.. i was just throwing around some ideas..

ok. here is a plan for you...

if you 100% know you want to change networks, and this is only worth doing if most of the people you call are on other networks... call T-Mobile, and ask for your PAC code, for your number... if they start trying to bamboozle you, repeat your request, i would like my pac code... they will back down..

when you have this pac code. what i would personally suggest, is to choose the phone you want.. do you already have one in mind?

then, i would purchase off the appropriate networks website, or carphone warehouse's website, whichever is cheaper.. if you are unsure. come back and ask, i'll willingly help... same goes for if you don't know what phone you want..

buying off the website cancels out the human interaction, which means the salesperson can't push you into something you don't want..

when buying off any website, there will be an option to bring your number with you...

does that sound sensible??

hev_2

markymoo wrote: »

no no.. you're not awkward.. i was just throwing around some ideas..

ok. here is a plan for you...

if you 100% know you want to change networks, and this is only worth doing if most of the people you call are on other networks... call T-Mobile, and ask for your PAC code, for your number... if they start trying to bamboozle you, repeat your request, i would like my pac code... they will back down..

when you have this pac code. what i would personally suggest, is to choose the phone you want.. do you already have one in mind?

then, i would purchase off the appropriate networks website, or carphone warehouse's website, whichever is cheaper.. if you are unsure. come back and ask, i'll willingly help... same goes for if you don't know what phone you want..

buying off the website cancels out the human interaction, which means the salesperson can't push you into something you don't want..

when buying off any website, there will be an option to bring your number with you...

does that sound sensible??

Bless you - this sounds exactly want I want - thank you so much.

My uncle is on Vodafone so I suppose it makes sense to go with them. He's the only one I really call regularly.

I really appreciate this help. There are some lovely people on this site, and you have certainly made things so much easier for me. Especially as I just blue screen with anything to do with mobiles

I shall sleep on the matter and look around for the phones. I feel much better knowing I can come back on here and have someone explain really basic things for me.

Many thanks

agsnu

hev wrote: »

My uncle is on Vodafone so I suppose it makes sense to go with them. He's the only one I really call regularly.

That doesn't necessarily follow, to be honest. Look at the web sites and see what the offers are, and try and work out which one is most appropriate for you.