EddScott

Guy I work with has a PAYG O2 phone and wants to upgrade to a contract and get a new phone.

Does he have to stay with O2 to keep his number? I only ask because he also wants a phone that can do internet, music and all that caper so I suggested a HTC Desire (I got a HTC Desire HD, 200 mins, unlimited texts, 500mb usage for £15+vat 24 months plus £50 for the phone - didn't think that was too bad)

O2 can't seem to get anywhere near that even with the Desire. Is it possible to move provider and retain the number?

ReallyReallyGoodMeat

Yes.

Jamie

O2 will use existing number.

Spoon

Yes, he can ask o2 for a PAC and then sign up with any provider and retain his number by porting it. He has 30 days to 'use' the PAC.

EddScott

I had an online conversation with O2 and the person I was chatting to said their minimum contract price was £25 a month. I'm paying £15 a month for only 100 mins less than the O2 offer.

Gear Head

iTrader: (2)

who with?

Spoon

Minimum price to the uneducated maybe but deals are always there to be had if you ask, with a hint of telling them what it is you want to pay.

Anybody paying more than £10/Month for a minimum of 600 minutes, unlimited texts and 1GB of internet isn't getting good value on a sim only deal.

Phone deals differ obviously as they pull your pants down for having a phone from them.

EddScott

Orange - I called them the day my contract ended.

£15 a month, 200 mins, unlim texts, 500mb usage plus £50 for the Desire HD. Didn't mind paying the money for the phone as I would rather do that than have a higher tariff.

They did offer the Desire (not HD) for the same deal without having to pay.

Going to see if I can get my colleague the same deal as above with the Desire.

Spoon

£15 or £15+VAT?

EddScott

To be precise its £15.32 including VAT. I wasn't sure if it was including VAT so just rang to check. Free internet too apparently but I already have my home BB with orange for £5 per month so not sure if that payment will stop - I assume so.

Spoon

Ah, that makes a difference if included, obviously.

The networks can word it how they like, ultimately 'free' internet doesn't have to be free if the package total is a certain amount. They could still tell you your internet is £15 but all your calls and texts are free. Whichever way the total is £15.

Your home broadband I would imagine is totally separate to having the internet facility on your phone that allows you access anywhere.

Overall your £15/month for your package and HD Desire (+ £50 for the phone) isn't bad even considering the excess you are paying monthly for the phone, (circa £5), over what you would pay for a better package on sim only.

Orange must have had a job lot of cheap Desires because the total over 2 years is only £410.

Spoon

Anyway, get your mate to ask for the PAC and he can move away. I've just helped a couple do it when I sold them 2 Memorable mobile numbers.

Ant

They'd be making money from the 200mins as that can be used up pretty quickly in a month.

Spoon

Not if you don't use them.

Ant

Yes I know that but that's what they'll be relying on. I use a 1000 a month with ease.

EddScott

I can get away with low minutes as I don't really make many calls from the phone. If its work related then I ring from work. If I'm out of office then again I don't make many calls.

Anyway - can't you make free calls with some app or other on the Android phones??

I tend to view phone contracts as really only paying for the phone or "free" gift rather than whatever tariff I'm on.

Ant

There's a app called viber on iPhone that calls using data usage but the other user has to have it installed. It may be on the 'droid market

MMT WRX

Are you a girl?

Spoon

Anybody buying a package and then going wildly over their allocated minutes needs a carer.

Ant

That's why I have 1200

When I had my first contract the first month I went over £250 bill! I learnt my lesson

Ant

No I work all over the country so things like sorting incorrect bills , bank , mobile stuff I have to do whilst on the road.
Like spending 30mins to the council this morning complaining the bin men have smashed my wing mirror

Spoon

There you go http://www.carers.org/

MMT WRX

It was obviously tongue in cheek.

I have two of the buggers here that can talk for England, I doubt 1000 mins would be enough.