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Best network for data on pay and go?


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Old 01-11-2010, 23:49
Thine Wonk
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Well deals with other networks have largely stayed the same or got better as time has gone on, this in my opinion is an introductory offer which I don't think will last, so it's a valid point saying to people to consider that it may not last given O2's history of pulling unlimited data allowances..
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Old 02-11-2010, 07:43
TheBigM
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OK...So what's your point? Reality is, at the moment, it's the best out there for data....In six months you may or may not be right. But, in six months all the others will have changed to something else.....The thread is about now though not the future.
As you point out if things don't go the way you want, you can always change. I don't find it as difficult to change supplier if I'm not satisfied as you make it out. I believe new rules are coming in soon to make it even quicker.
The OP might not need to think about the future but there are many of us who do. E.g. I am looking to get a WP7 handset. My choice is either to buy it on pay as you go (which only O2 are really doing) and use it on Giffgaff or get one on contract from Orange or T-Mobile.

Given that these contracts are 24 months, I have to look ahead. If Giffgaff pulls their data, Tesco suddenly looks a lot more attractive (though to me it already does) due to all those minutes at £10 price point.

Similarly Orange have the largest 3G network of all. If Giffgaff adopts something like 500MB then Orange's 750MB or T-Mobile's 3GB suddenly look a lot more attractive.

Giffgaff's unlimited data was based on O2's data. Once O2 pulled it, I am pretty sure I saw a statement that giffgaff's data is "for now" and that they too would be deciding what to do about it. Certainly if it's unaffordable for O2, I don't see it being sustainable for GG either.
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Old 02-11-2010, 10:22
call100
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The OP might not need to think about the future but there are many of us who do. E.g. I am looking to get a WP7 handset. My choice is either to buy it on pay as you go (which only O2 are really doing) and use it on Giffgaff or get one on contract from Orange or T-Mobile.

Given that these contracts are 24 months, I have to look ahead. If Giffgaff pulls their data, Tesco suddenly looks a lot more attractive (though to me it already does) due to all those minutes at £10 price point.

Similarly Orange have the largest 3G network of all. If Giffgaff adopts something like 500MB then Orange's 750MB or T-Mobile's 3GB suddenly look a lot more attractive.

Giffgaff's unlimited data was based on O2's data. Once O2 pulled it, I am pretty sure I saw a statement that giffgaff's data is "for now" and that they too would be deciding what to do about it. Certainly if it's unaffordable for O2, I don't see it being sustainable for GG either.
So if you need to think about the future then by all means go contract. However, the discussion was about PAYG.
As a point of fact there is no indication that giffgaff are going to end the unlimited data any time soon. That is pure speculation by some people. If you need unlimited data and not all will, then giffgaff is, at this moment in time, the best deal....If you don't then others are on a par.
It always amazes me that people on whatever network always seem to have a blind loyalty to it and try to rubbish others. I treat them all the same. They are a business and the one thing they are not there for is my benefit.....So I will always change when necessary. The money I'm saving at the moment is very nice thank you. Better in my pocket than theirs...
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Old 02-11-2010, 10:35
TheBigM
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So if you need to think about the future then by all means go contract. However, the discussion was about PAYG.
As a point of fact there is no indication that giffgaff are going to end the unlimited data any time soon. That is pure speculation by some people. If you need unlimited data and not all will, then giffgaff is, at this moment in time, the best deal....If you don't then others are on a par.
It always amazes me that people on whatever network always seem to have a blind loyalty to it and try to rubbish others. I treat them all the same. They are a business and the one thing they are not there for is my benefit.....So I will always change when necessary. The money I'm saving at the moment is very nice thank you. Better in my pocket than theirs...
Your implicit comments, conveniently targeted at "people" rather than anyone specifically don't apply to me given that I am also on Giffgaff.

Yet I am the one not blindly defending them. Yes they do offer unlimited data with no soft limits. But the quality of the network is also a limit factor (don't O2 have the worst 3G coverage?), the fact that giffgaff can also rely on congestion to work as a speed limiter. Etc, it is more than tariff one has to look at always.

Although the OP said good for data, voice minutes are still important. Pretty substantial difference between 150 minutes and 500 minutes for the same price point. One has a quoted hard limit but you know what you get.

Thinking about the future doesn't mean I want to commit to a contract right now. It just means I should weigh up the balance of probabilities of the future. O2's decisions can be taken as an indicator of what could happen on GG given that GG runs on O2.
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Old 02-11-2010, 14:43
call100
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Your implicit comments, conveniently targeted at "people" rather than anyone specifically don't apply to me given that I am also on Giffgaff.

Yet I am the one not blindly defending them. Yes they do offer unlimited data with no soft limits. But the quality of the network is also a limit factor (don't O2 have the worst 3G coverage?), the fact that giffgaff can also rely on congestion to work as a speed limiter. Etc, it is more than tariff one has to look at always.

Although the OP said good for data, voice minutes are still important. Pretty substantial difference between 150 minutes and 500 minutes for the same price point. One has a quoted hard limit but you know what you get.

Thinking about the future doesn't mean I want to commit to a contract right now. It just means I should weigh up the balance of probabilities of the future. O2's decisions can be taken as an indicator of what could happen on GG given that GG runs on O2.
If the cap fits etc.....conversely, if it doesn't....
In my area O2 (giffgaff) and Vodafone have the best 3G coverage. The others are very patchy.
You are correct Voice minutes are important to some people, however, the OP asked about data.
I don't think O2's decision can be taken as any indicator of what will happen on any of their MVNOs. Each will make whatever decision is best for their business plan.
If you are on PAYG with anyone you don't really need to weigh up the future as you can change at any time. The point of it is to get the best deal to use at the moment.
It would be nice if we could predict the future....Pity it's not possible.
At the end of the day the OP asked which was the best PAYG network for data....IMO at the moment it's giffgaff, if you have a different opinion then fine..Live long and prosper.
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Old 02-11-2010, 15:29
Hardstyler
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giffgaff won't be unlimited forever nor will they cap it at 500mb, if they do then giffgaff will end...

I'm hoping for a 3gb or 5gb cap once it gets capped
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Old 02-11-2010, 16:36
call100
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I agree, that if they end the unlimited a very large number of their subscribers would leave and go elsewhere...Me included.
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Old 02-11-2010, 17:03
johnathome
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When i activate my giffgaff sim with a top up do i lose the money when my number is ported over?

Can't find the answer on the site.
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Old 02-11-2010, 20:05
call100
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If you mean do you lose any credit with your existing company then yes. You should ask them for a refund. Don't know if they will give you one though...
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Old 02-11-2010, 20:06
Thine Wonk
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giffgaff won't be unlimited forever nor will they cap it at 500mb, if they do then giffgaff will end...

I'm hoping for a 3gb or 5gb cap once it gets capped
No chance ! I'll go down to 1GB or less, remember they are trying to push the appeal as a network ran by the users too and trying to get people to buy in to the clever marketing i.e "we just thought we'd be cheeky and send you a spare sim, why not give it to somebody" and so on...

Once they have a fair amount of subscribers they won't need to give such bit data allowances, they are going through a process of effectively buying users by offering deals that aren't really sustainable. Some will leave when the data plans get dropped down to industry average or below, but a lot will stay and will like the other aspects of Giffgaff.
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Old 02-11-2010, 21:14
chris20
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one thing giffgaff have said and also the manager is when the unlimited Internet finises if it does they wont go to the level of the other networks they will offer a good amount more then the 1gb all networks offer now.
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Old 02-11-2010, 21:56
TheBigM
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When i activate my giffgaff sim with a top up do i lose the money when my number is ported over?

Can't find the answer on the site.
Not exactly sure what you mean so will try to be broad:

You are on network X with £y credit. You buy giffgaff sim and do minimum £10 topup. You request and supply the PAC for number porting.
Your number gets transferred. You lose all credit remaining on network X and your giffgaff account is completely unaffected credit-wise. You just carry on as before, just with your ported number instead.

You are on giffgaff with £5 credit remaining and your number gets ported to another network (i.e. leaving giffgaff). You lose all remaining credit you had on giffgaff.
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Old 02-11-2010, 22:16
johnathome
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Thanks call11 and TheBigM,

I'll lose the Asda credit but not the giffgaff.

Cheers
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Old 04-11-2010, 18:12
paulhgc
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I have just moved to gif gaf and all is going well

what happens when the bag i have purchased runs out ?

do i let it expire or purchase a new bag before it runs out ?
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Old 04-11-2010, 20:31
paulhgc
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just read on the giffgaff site

You lucky giffgaff pioneers can even enjoy free UK mobile Internet up to the 1st of December 2010. After that date, mobile Internet will be charged at 50p a day (if you use less than 2.5MB/day you'll pay less than 50p and if you go over 30MB you'll be charged extra at 20p/MB). But all our goodybags that include unlimited Internet will continue including unlimited Internet after the 1st of December


does this mean if we have a goodybag and keep it going then we still get free net ?
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Old 05-11-2010, 01:56
johnathome
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j


does this mean if we have a goodybag and keep it going then we still get free net ?
After 1st Dec you need to spend minimum of £10 a month (goodybag) to continue with the free internet.

To clarify, do this if you want continuous free net. When the bag runs out you could wait a week or two before buying another £10 bag for the free net.

Think that made sense :-/
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Old 05-11-2010, 11:00
call100
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I have just moved to gif gaf and all is going well

what happens when the bag i have purchased runs out ?

do i let it expire or purchase a new bag before it runs out ?
just read on the giffgaff site

You lucky giffgaff pioneers can even enjoy free UK mobile Internet up to the 1st of December 2010. After that date, mobile Internet will be charged at 50p a day (if you use less than 2.5MB/day you'll pay less than 50p and if you go over 30MB you'll be charged extra at 20p/MB). But all our goodybags that include unlimited Internet will continue including unlimited Internet after the 1st of December


does this mean if we have a goodybag and keep it going then we still get free net ?
OK, so you joined giffgaff and don't have the faintest idea how it works?
If you have any questions go onto the forum and ask. That is what it's there for. Surely it can't be that hard to fathom?
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Old 05-11-2010, 21:14
paulhgc
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OK, so you joined giffgaff and don't have the faintest idea how it works?
If you have any questions go onto the forum and ask. That is what it's there for. Surely it can't be that hard to fathom?
:sleep: Very kind help its ok i did use the brain but thought i would as k the question here quickly but thank you again for such a sarcastic response
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