Pay as you go Mobile Phone

[felly]

I need to buy a new mobile phone as mine is on it's last legs. I only have it for emergencies so don't use it much and it is just a basic model ie doesn't even take photos! My question is, can I buy a new phone and keep my present number if I stay with the same phone company? And then if so, do I just transfer the Sim card and everything works or isn't it quite that simple?

[ChuckFickens]

Yes.

[felly]

Thank you ChuckFickens and onetoomany for your extra speedy replies.

[Hugh Spencer]

I use my mobile only occasionally and bought a basic one from Tescos, Nokia 1208 for around £30.00. And I am on a Low User tariff with Tesco Mobile, 8ppm for phone and 4ppm for text. It has suited me fine.

[mike11111]

I only use mine very occasionally. Topped up with £20 in June '09 - still got £16.50 left! 10p per text, quarter of the price of a stamp - can't be bad. I'm a convert - 5 years ago I was all for banning them altogether.

[Wak]

Sim cards from ASDA, 49 pence. Calls 8 pence per minute, texts 4 pence each.
Good value.

[felly]

Thanks Hugh, Mike and Wak for the additional information. Can't get to Asda but can to Tesco - is your phone Pay as you go Hugh?

[JustChillin]

I think you have to use Tesco Sim card with a Tesco phone and you can't just transfer your own Sim card over

[felly]

Thanks JustChillin. Am now thinking I might change to Tesco as the charges are so much cheaper than mine on O2 though it looks to me that Tesco have some connection with O2. Have looked on their website and there is a way I can keep my number which I would want to do. Presume I would then have to transfer all my numbers. It says something about setting up your Voicemail - is that difficult? My son gave me my current phone years ago and set it all up for me so I've never had to do it.

[Hugh Spencer]

Hi Felly,
My phone is Pay as you Go, topping up at the store, by phone or on-line. The booklet quotes "you can keep your existing number" but you have to get a PAC number from your existing supplier. Then Customer Care can set you up within 2 working days.

[felly]

Thanks Hugh - think I'm going to go for that.

[mdun123]

yeah if you're struggling with the PAC code, you can use this site for some help http://www.paccode.me.uk Gives info on swapping between networks

[andy-hughes]

The advantage with buying from a dealer shop, such as T-Mobile, is that their staff will be able to make sure everything is transferred to your new phone properly.

Some SIMS store all information, some store on the phone, and if you don;t transfer correctly, you can lose information.

Something to think about - it may not be cheaper in the long run if you lose information.

[felly]

Thanks mdun123 and andy-hughes for the additional information. I'll have another think about it before jumping in.