Alternative Mobile provider using Vodafone masts?

tony13579 · 14-01-2015, 08:04

We are having hell with Vodafone customer services, however because of where we live and visit we need to use Vodafone masts.

What other mobile deals and providers use their masts?
The ideal deal would be 100 min, 200 texts, 500mb data.
We don't have 4g phones (yet)

Thanks tony

simon69c · 14-01-2015, 08:18

Talk talk mobile perhaps? No experience with them but I believe they use Vodafone as their parent network and seem to have some competitive sim plans covering the usage you are looking at.

Ah just seen you do need to be a talk talk customer so that may be a non starter (unless willing to switch other services too).

dearmrman · 14-01-2015, 08:30

Talk Mobile use the Vodafone network

Pay Monthly Sim Plan:

250 mins, 5000 texts, 500 MB - £7.00 per month

Or a contract starts from the same price including handset (depending on the handset you want)

http://www.talkmobile.co.uk/

tony13579 · 14-01-2015, 08:51

When you have a problem, can you talk to a person?
The problem with Vodafone is they insist you use webchat. My other half has MS and cannot use such services

blueacid · 14-01-2015, 08:56

I think Sainsburys also use Vodafone - http://www.phoneshopbysainsburys.co.uk/mbs

However, thinking out of the box, would/could you consider using one of the networks which offer wifi calling or a signal booster box? Three offer their Three InTouch service and O2 have Tugo, so you could look at those (note - these services are only for people on those networks, so it won't work for resellers/MVNOs such as Giffgaff, Tesco etc).

tony13579 · 14-01-2015, 09:03

I'm afraid it's holliday cottages where the issues are. We tend to go for remote cottages in Wales Scotland and Cornwall.Orrange/EE cover Wales well but Scotland it's vodafone.
Any fool can cover the cities. O2 were hopeless I would drive into Inverness and get three days of texts!

sethpet · 14-01-2015, 09:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by tony13579

When you have a problem, can you talk to a person?
The problem with Vodafone is they insist you use webchat. My other half has MS and cannot use such services

I just dial 191 and speak to someone when i need assistance. Never been told i have to use the web chat

swb1964 · 14-01-2015, 12:45

Lebara mobile. Also are you sure you can't get an o2 signal? Once upon a time their 2g coverage was similar.

swb1964 · 14-01-2015, 12:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by tony13579

When you have a problem, can you talk to a person?
The problem with Vodafone is they insist you use webchat. My other half has MS and cannot use such services

Write a nice polite letter to head office explaing the problem. If that doesn't work write a nasty one and contact Watchdog or smiliar. A large company like this really should make reasonable adjustments for the disabled.

And I do mean letter, not email. Letters are less likely to get ignored, IME.

de525ma · 14-01-2015, 12:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by swb1964

Lebara mobile. Also are you sure you can't get an o2 signal? Once upon a time their 2g coverage was similar.

Vodafone has always been better than O2 in the remotest parts of Scotland.

swb1964 · 14-01-2015, 12:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by de525ma

Vodafone has always been better than O2 in the remotest parts of Scotland.

Ok fair enough. Either way it's still shocking a firm like Vodafone don't have a specialist team for the disabled. I know sky do.

petef · 14-01-2015, 14:09

These are MVNOs who use Vodafone's network:

allpay Mobile, Donate Mobile, Freedom Talk, Mobile by Sainsbury's, Talkmobile, talkxtra, WWF Wildlife Mobile, Kontakt, Lebara, SMART Pinoy, Talk Home, Vectone, Dialog Vizz.

There are links to them on my PAYG page http://petef.22web.org/payg.html

lost boy · 14-01-2015, 15:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by petef

These are MVNOs who use Vodafone's network:

allpay Mobile, Donate Mobile, Freedom Talk, Mobile by Sainsbury's, Talkmobile, talkxtra, WWF Wildlife Mobile, Kontakt, Lebara, SMART Pinoy, Talk Home, Vectone, Dialog Vizz.

There are links to them on my PAYG page http://petef.22web.org/payg.html

According to your page, Vectone and Talk Home both use EE?

With regards to the OP's question:

Another vote for Mobile by Sainsbury's here. Customer service (which isn't too bad) is available by phone or email. The £10 bundle should be more than fine, as it comes with 300 minutes, 5000 text and 500MB data.

tony13579 · 14-01-2015, 16:28

Thanks, I'll probobly go to sainsburys as they are working to break into a new market.
Vodafone... I tried to phone them up but there was no option for billing problems.. I emailed them, they replied telling us Tracey had to use typetalk and do security questions . I rang again got charged for ringing them....she was awful, failed to listen , refused to slow down when giving the company address. I escalated it to the CEOS TEAM. £59 credit gone, three topups since Christmas on text and web but still charging £2 per day data dispite receiving text and web confirmation texts. CEO's team more or less said £15 credit take it or shove off.
He claimed that text and web Freebee was closed to new customers and he could not restore the account claiming that we had left it (not true) (we went on a 7 week overseas trip nov/dec) we have all the top up texts to prove our case. And bank statements but no proof of lost credit.

I will be forwarding a full complaint to OFCOM and the EHRC ( equality and human rights commission)
He refused to discuss questions on equality act. The threatening that if I was not satisfied in full he could not restore the account.

We need her phone to work for now. She also has a significant heart condition

swb1964 · 14-01-2015, 18:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by tony13579

T

I will be forwarding a full complaint to OFCOM and the EHRC ( equality and human rights commission)

Good for you. The change in the law to require 'reasonable adjustments' was hard fought for, and Vodafone should abide by it.

Yes, I was thinking of Sainsburys. They might not be the absolute cheapest, but you can get more than enough minutes, text and data for a tenner, and their customer service might be a bit better than some of the cheaper operators.

blueacid · 14-01-2015, 19:27

A thought occurs: http://aaisp.net/telecoms-sip2sim.html

This might be of use to you, potentially. The reason is that when in EU mode, it will select from Vodafone/o2/EE. It'll gravitate to o2, but if you're in an area with just (say) EE, it'll work.

I do encourage you to read about it - especially learning how the billing works. You pay per minute for any call you are on (whether or not you dialled it or answered it), plus a little extra for outbound calls. However, the service can be configured to have a landline number which might be useful for you.

It doesn't exactly meet your requirements for being cheap, however with you writing about the medical conditions your partner has, then starting from the standpoint of "what's a few quid to be always able to dial out" then it starts to make more sense.

swb1964 · 14-01-2015, 20:02

That;s actually quite an interesting idea. If I understand it correctly, you pay 2p+vat a minute both to send and recieve on 02 and 10p on other networks, Although not rock bottom cheap, it is way, way cheaper than mobile phones were even 10-15 years ago.

It's presumably aimed at business though, given the prices are given excl VAT?

petef · 14-01-2015, 20:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by lost boy

According to your page, Vectone and Talk Home both use EE?

You are correct, those two are on EE. I made a mistake copying from my page.

tony13579 · 14-01-2015, 22:11

Thanks blueacid, if she made it to the transplant list I would get one. We can dial 999 and it should hop networks. We have a friend who has been on the heart lung transplant list for 1000 days waiting for THAT call. So I will keep that info.

I do have to keep the budget on track, 2 x £10 per month is enough. i don't know have people find the time to send 300+ texts... Lol

Zee_Bukhari · 14-01-2015, 22:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by tony13579

Thanks blueacid, if she made it to the transplant list I would get one. We can dial 999 and it should hop networks. We have a friend who has been on the heart lung transplant list for 1000 days waiting for THAT call. So I will keep that info.

I do have to keep the budget on track, 2 x £10 per month is enough. i don't know have people find the time to send 300+ texts... Lol

when you dial 999, your phone will connect to the closest mast whether O2, Three, Vodafone or EE and it doesn't matter which network you're on.

swb1964 · 15-01-2015, 08:13

Wasn't that shown to be an urban myth?

moox · 15-01-2015, 09:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by swb1964

Wasn't that shown to be an urban myth?

If you mean the 999 thing, then no, http://consumers.ofcom.org.uk/news/connecting-citizens/

It'll use any available network. IIRC it also meant the phone doesn't even need a SIM card, whereas before it had to have one, even if it was inactive

14-01-2015, 08:04	#1
tony13579 Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: south coast Posts: 1,120	Alternative Mobile provider using Vodafone masts? We are having hell with Vodafone customer services, however because of where we live and visit we need to use Vodafone masts. What other mobile deals and providers use their masts? The ideal deal would be 100 min, 200 texts, 500mb data. We don't have 4g phones (yet) Thanks tony

14-01-2015, 08:18	#2
simon69c Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Glasgow Posts: 1,415	Talk talk mobile perhaps? No experience with them but I believe they use Vodafone as their parent network and seem to have some competitive sim plans covering the usage you are looking at. Ah just seen you do need to be a talk talk customer so that may be a non starter (unless willing to switch other services too).

14-01-2015, 08:30	#3
dearmrman Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Utopia Posts: 10,186	Talk Mobile use the Vodafone network Pay Monthly Sim Plan: 250 mins, 5000 texts, 500 MB - £7.00 per month Or a contract starts from the same price including handset (depending on the handset you want) http://www.talkmobile.co.uk/

14-01-2015, 08:51	#4
tony13579 Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: south coast Posts: 1,120	When you have a problem, can you talk to a person? The problem with Vodafone is they insist you use webchat. My other half has MS and cannot use such services

14-01-2015, 08:56	#5
blueacid Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 1,536	I think Sainsburys also use Vodafone - http://www.phoneshopbysainsburys.co.uk/mbs However, thinking out of the box, would/could you consider using one of the networks which offer wifi calling or a signal booster box? Three offer their Three InTouch service and O2 have Tugo, so you could look at those (note - these services are only for people on those networks, so it won't work for resellers/MVNOs such as Giffgaff, Tesco etc).

14-01-2015, 09:03	#6
tony13579 Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: south coast Posts: 1,120	I'm afraid it's holliday cottages where the issues are. We tend to go for remote cottages in Wales Scotland and Cornwall.Orrange/EE cover Wales well but Scotland it's vodafone. Any fool can cover the cities. O2 were hopeless I would drive into Inverness and get three days of texts!

14-01-2015, 09:53	#7
sethpet Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Posts: 494	Quote: Originally Posted by tony13579 When you have a problem, can you talk to a person? The problem with Vodafone is they insist you use webchat. My other half has MS and cannot use such services I just dial 191 and speak to someone when i need assistance. Never been told i have to use the web chat

14-01-2015, 12:45	#8
swb1964 Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Posts: 2,455	Lebara mobile. Also are you sure you can't get an o2 signal? Once upon a time their 2g coverage was similar.

14-01-2015, 12:51	#9
swb1964 Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Posts: 2,455	Quote: Originally Posted by tony13579 When you have a problem, can you talk to a person? The problem with Vodafone is they insist you use webchat. My other half has MS and cannot use such services Write a nice polite letter to head office explaing the problem. If that doesn't work write a nasty one and contact Watchdog or smiliar. A large company like this really should make reasonable adjustments for the disabled. And I do mean letter, not email. Letters are less likely to get ignored, IME.

14-01-2015, 12:52	#10
de525ma Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Portsmouth Posts: 787	Quote: Originally Posted by swb1964 Lebara mobile. Also are you sure you can't get an o2 signal? Once upon a time their 2g coverage was similar. Vodafone has always been better than O2 in the remotest parts of Scotland.

14-01-2015, 12:55	#11
swb1964 Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Posts: 2,455	Quote: Originally Posted by de525ma Vodafone has always been better than O2 in the remotest parts of Scotland. Ok fair enough. Either way it's still shocking a firm like Vodafone don't have a specialist team for the disabled. I know sky do.

14-01-2015, 14:09	#12
petef Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 120	These are MVNOs who use Vodafone's network: allpay Mobile, Donate Mobile, Freedom Talk, Mobile by Sainsbury's, Talkmobile, talkxtra, WWF Wildlife Mobile, Kontakt, Lebara, SMART Pinoy, Talk Home, Vectone, Dialog Vizz. There are links to them on my PAYG page http://petef.22web.org/payg.html

14-01-2015, 15:22	#13
lost boy Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Norfolkland Posts: 1,787	Quote: Originally Posted by petef These are MVNOs who use Vodafone's network: allpay Mobile, Donate Mobile, Freedom Talk, Mobile by Sainsbury's, Talkmobile, talkxtra, WWF Wildlife Mobile, Kontakt, Lebara, SMART Pinoy, Talk Home, Vectone, Dialog Vizz. There are links to them on my PAYG page http://petef.22web.org/payg.html According to your page, Vectone and Talk Home both use EE? With regards to the OP's question: Another vote for Mobile by Sainsbury's here. Customer service (which isn't too bad) is available by phone or email. The £10 bundle should be more than fine, as it comes with 300 minutes, 5000 text and 500MB data.

14-01-2015, 16:28	#14
tony13579 Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: south coast Posts: 1,120	Thanks, I'll probobly go to sainsburys as they are working to break into a new market. Vodafone... I tried to phone them up but there was no option for billing problems.. I emailed them, they replied telling us Tracey had to use typetalk and do security questions . I rang again got charged for ringing them....she was awful, failed to listen , refused to slow down when giving the company address. I escalated it to the CEOS TEAM. £59 credit gone, three topups since Christmas on text and web but still charging £2 per day data dispite receiving text and web confirmation texts. CEO's team more or less said £15 credit take it or shove off. He claimed that text and web Freebee was closed to new customers and he could not restore the account claiming that we had left it (not true) (we went on a 7 week overseas trip nov/dec) we have all the top up texts to prove our case. And bank statements but no proof of lost credit. I will be forwarding a full complaint to OFCOM and the EHRC ( equality and human rights commission) He refused to discuss questions on equality act. The threatening that if I was not satisfied in full he could not restore the account. We need her phone to work for now. She also has a significant heart condition

14-01-2015, 18:40	#15
swb1964 Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Posts: 2,455	Quote: Originally Posted by tony13579 T I will be forwarding a full complaint to OFCOM and the EHRC ( equality and human rights commission) Good for you. The change in the law to require 'reasonable adjustments' was hard fought for, and Vodafone should abide by it. Yes, I was thinking of Sainsburys. They might not be the absolute cheapest, but you can get more than enough minutes, text and data for a tenner, and their customer service might be a bit better than some of the cheaper operators.

14-01-2015, 19:27	#16
blueacid Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 1,536	A thought occurs: http://aaisp.net/telecoms-sip2sim.html This might be of use to you, potentially. The reason is that when in EU mode, it will select from Vodafone/o2/EE. It'll gravitate to o2, but if you're in an area with just (say) EE, it'll work. I do encourage you to read about it - especially learning how the billing works. You pay per minute for any call you are on (whether or not you dialled it or answered it), plus a little extra for outbound calls. However, the service can be configured to have a landline number which might be useful for you. It doesn't exactly meet your requirements for being cheap, however with you writing about the medical conditions your partner has, then starting from the standpoint of "what's a few quid to be always able to dial out" then it starts to make more sense.

14-01-2015, 20:02	#17
swb1964 Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Posts: 2,455	That;s actually quite an interesting idea. If I understand it correctly, you pay 2p+vat a minute both to send and recieve on 02 and 10p on other networks, Although not rock bottom cheap, it is way, way cheaper than mobile phones were even 10-15 years ago. It's presumably aimed at business though, given the prices are given excl VAT?

14-01-2015, 20:05	#18
petef Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 120	Quote: Originally Posted by lost boy According to your page, Vectone and Talk Home both use EE? You are correct, those two are on EE. I made a mistake copying from my page.

14-01-2015, 22:11	#19
tony13579 Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: south coast Posts: 1,120	Thanks blueacid, if she made it to the transplant list I would get one. We can dial 999 and it should hop networks. We have a friend who has been on the heart lung transplant list for 1000 days waiting for THAT call. So I will keep that info. I do have to keep the budget on track, 2 x £10 per month is enough. i don't know have people find the time to send 300+ texts... Lol

14-01-2015, 22:32	#20
Zee_Bukhari Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Posts: 1,319	Quote: Originally Posted by tony13579 Thanks blueacid, if she made it to the transplant list I would get one. We can dial 999 and it should hop networks. We have a friend who has been on the heart lung transplant list for 1000 days waiting for THAT call. So I will keep that info. I do have to keep the budget on track, 2 x £10 per month is enough. i don't know have people find the time to send 300+ texts... Lol when you dial 999, your phone will connect to the closest mast whether O2, Three, Vodafone or EE and it doesn't matter which network you're on.

15-01-2015, 08:13	#21
swb1964 Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Posts: 2,455	Wasn't that shown to be an urban myth?

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Alternative Mobile provider using Vodafone masts?

15-01-2015, 09:28	#22
moox Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 14,645	Quote: Originally Posted by swb1964 Wasn't that shown to be an urban myth? If you mean the 999 thing, then no, http://consumers.ofcom.org.uk/news/connecting-citizens/ It'll use any available network. IIRC it also meant the phone doesn't even need a SIM card, whereas before it had to have one, even if it was inactive