[Brit1Chick]

We are currently on 3 at the moment and can cap how much our son spends, I was wondering if anyone knows which other networks do this, I was particularly interested in o2, have looked at their site, but cannot find out from there.
thanks

[lost boy]

I can think of two networks with capped options; T-Mobile (they certainly used to do it anyway, not sure if they still do though since tariffs were "simplified" at the start of this month) and - according to the latest batch of clubcard vouchers I've received - Tesco Mobile.

[Brit1Chick]

Thanks for that , was really hoping that someone would say about o2....oh well, will find out where the nearest shop is and ask there, as the web site isn't very helpful in that regard

[Running Water]

Hello. No, O2 don't offer capped usage at all.

[coopermanyorks]

02 used to a couple of years ago , but sadly no longer

[Brit1Chick]

well that's a blow, guess they just want to screw as much money out of the parents as poss ............thanks for your answers though

[prking]

No, its not that at all. Most of the networks stopped advertising the credit limit as a means of capping the monthly bill, because it doesn't work well. With pay monthly there is a lag between a cost being incurred and it being billed. This means that in some circumstances its possible for the bill to go substantially over the credit limit. Although this doesn't happen very often, the very bad publicity it generated (including a Watchdog special and numerous newspaper expose), means that where it is offered it comes with a big disclaimer.

[Running Water]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brit1Chick

well that's a blow, guess they just want to screw as much money out of the parents as poss ............thanks for your answers though

Not really, contracts are for customers aged 18 and over.

If the person using the phone cannot be trusted to stay within the limit, they shouldn't have a contract phone.

Not trying to set the cat amongst the pigeons, just my view.

[Brit1Chick]

Quote:

Originally Posted by prking

No, its not that at all. Most of the networks stopped advertising the credit limit as a means of capping the monthly bill, because it doesn't work well. With pay monthly there is a lag between a cost being incurred and it being billed. This means that in some circumstances its possible for the bill to go substantially over the credit limit. Although this doesn't happen very often, the very bad publicity it generated (including a Watchdog special and numerous newspaper expose), means that where it is offered it comes with a big disclaimer.

Thanks for that, although I do know with 3 , once the limited is reached a person cuts into the phone call and tells you to end the call , perhaps I will just stick with them.

[Brit1Chick]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Running Water

Not really, contracts are for customers aged 18 and over.

If the person using the phone cannot be trusted to stay within the limit, they shouldn't have a contract phone.

Not trying to set the cat amongst the pigeons, just my view.

But the trouble with that is, if they haven't got a phone, they use the home phone to call all their mates and unless you keep the phone on your person it is hard to stop this. At least if you can cap the calls you have some control over it . I am only speaking from experience in the real world

[plymouthbloke1974]

Scenario:

You get contract phone for child with additional spend limit of £0.00.

Child goes out, gets into trouble, tries to call home, but is unable to because minutes have been used up.

Parents then slag off network for denying phone access when child tried to call home in emergency...etc etc etc

If child is not responsible, don't give them a contract phone.

Simples.

[tellytart1]

Give the child pocket money and a pay as you go phone. If they run out of credit and have no money, tough. If they need to call you in an emergency teach them how to use a payphone to call the operator and make a reverse charges call from the payphone to you at home.

[prking]

The best option with a child is Pay as You go, with one of the Family add-ons. eg O2, Vodafone.
The child will always be able to call other family members and will have a fixed cost each month.
As an example, if the whole family were on O2, one person could add O2 family bolt-on which gives unlimited calls and texts between family members. Top-up the kids £10 each month (on Text and Web tariff) would give them 300 texts to other people, unlimited internet and the £10 to spend on other calls.

[Brit1Chick]

Quote:

Originally Posted by plymouthbloke1974

Scenario:

You get contract phone for child with additional spend limit of £0.00.

Child goes out, gets into trouble, tries to call home, but is unable to because minutes have been used up.

Parents then slag off network for denying phone access when child tried to call home in emergency...etc etc etc

If child is not responsible, don't give them a contract phone.

Simples.

I actually chose 3 because that is the network I am on and it is free calls from 3 to 3 , just incase this scenario came up.

[plymouthbloke1974]

So why the move to O2?

[Brit1Chick]

Quote:

Originally Posted by plymouthbloke1974

So why the move to O2?

Just because his girlfriend is on o2 and she is the one he is spending all this time chatting to and so those calls would be free and therefor his bill would be much smaller ...

[plymouthbloke1974]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brit1Chick

Just because his girlfriend is on o2 and she is the one he is spending all this time chatting to and so those calls would be free and therefor his bill would be much smaller ...

Ahhhhhh ... makes sense now

[inhouseuk]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brit1Chick

Just because his girlfriend is on o2 and she is the one he is spending all this time chatting to and so those calls would be free and therefor his bill would be much smaller ...

The cheapest would be to either get his GF to transfer to 3. Or let her have a cheap payg 3 phone and they would get free 3 to 3 calls or use skype for nothing.

[Brit1Chick]

Quote:

Originally Posted by inhouseuk

The cheapest would be to either get his GF to transfer to 3. Or let her have a cheap payg 3 phone and they would get free 3 to 3 calls or use skype for nothing.

Now that is not a bad idea !!!!

[prking]

Or put him on O2 Unlimited pay and go. A £15 top-up gives him £15 credit and 12,000 texts+12,000 minutes to other O2 customers.

[Brit1Chick]

thanks for that, I shall have a look a that, as it sounds like the answer to my problem