Phone with Internet on Vodafone

HaraHeeHum · 09-01-2009, 12:53

I have a contract with Vodafone £25pm, 200 mins, 250 texts, stop the clock... but I'm beyond the minimum term. My handset is a Nokia 6230i which is not cutting edge... but I like Nokias.

I'm eligible for a handset upgrade, but I'm also looking for a phone I can use to browse the web as well. A touchscreen phone might be nice. Not bothered about a camera.

I don't want to pay any more than I already do... I never use my minutes allowance each month but might use them more if they were eligible for Internet browsing too... if you excuse my ignorance on how this interweb thing on phones work.

Has to be Vodafone for coverage reasons.

Can anyone recommend any options out there?

BoBaDoB · 09-01-2009, 13:00

new 5800express is out soon, nokias touch screen

HaraHeeHum · 09-01-2009, 13:19

Hmmm, bound to be fairly pricey I'd say, even with a contract! I'm prepared to stray from Nokia, but would like to be on a contract where I can use the Internet without paying through the nose for it!

flagpole · 09-01-2009, 13:29

it really depends how much you want to pay. i know they're all 'free' but if you go for a cheaper one they'll give you some money off.

both the 6500's are nice and good value. not touch screen of course. best go for something 3G if you want the internet.

HaraHeeHum · 09-01-2009, 15:33

I pay around £25 a month just now and hoping to not pay more, or much more than that.

3G you say... I suppose I'll have to do some research to discover what that entails!

Sigh!

But thanks!

flagpole · 09-01-2009, 15:49

well 3G just means that the internet is fast, as opposed to the sort of dialup speed you get with a 2G phone like the one you have now.

i say the 6500 model because they are about £100 on PAYG.

HaraHeeHum · 09-01-2009, 16:01

Would I need to be on a different contract to use 3G?

belleville1 · 09-01-2009, 16:13

If you're in the sort of area where you need Vodafone for coverage reasons (I'm in the same position, so I'm imagining the north and west of Scotland here) then I doubt very much whether 3G will be available. It's a separate network mainly covering very urban areas with fast mobile internet.

But you don't need to do anything special to get 3G - as long as your phone supports it and you're in its area, you'll be able to connect to it. The only exception is if you have a very old SIM card, then you might have to request a new one from Vodafone to access the new 3G network.

HaraHeeHum · 09-01-2009, 16:24

Well I visit relatively remote areas in north west Scotland, but normally live in a city, so I could use 3G.

And yes, Vodafone has the best coverage. O2 are probably not far behind but I have an impression they're more expensive. T-Mobile, Orange and anyone who piggybacks on these networks are no good.

I don't use my mobile a huge amount so I'm wondering if I should switch to PAYG... I presume I can still keep my number even if switch to PAYG.

belleville1 · 09-01-2009, 16:34

I've gone over to Asda Mobile, who are a very cheap PAYG service (8p a minute and 4p a text) but are actually Vodafone in disguise. So I'm spending next to nothing every month on my mobile but get to take advantage of Vodafone's coverage. You can use their SIM cards in phones that are locked to Vodafone and transfer your number over to them. I don't want to sound like an advert, but it's a world away from the 3 contract I was locked into before!

HaraHeeHum · 09-01-2009, 16:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by belleville1

I've gone over to Asda Mobile, who are a very cheap PAYG service (8p a minute and 4p a text) but are actually Vodafone in disguise. So I'm spending next to nothing every month on my mobile but get to take advantage of Vodafone's coverage. You can use their SIM cards in phones that are locked to Vodafone and transfer your number over to them. I don't want to sound like an advert, but it's a world away from the 3 contract I was locked into before!

Wow... thanks! This is revolutionary!

HaraHeeHum · 09-01-2009, 17:19

Correct me if I'm wrong, but it appears Asda don't sell any 3G phones in their range, so it looks like I'll have to get a handset elsewhere and just get a SIM from them...right?

belleville1 · 09-01-2009, 17:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by HaraHeeHum

Correct me if I'm wrong, but it appears Asda don't sell any 3G phones in their range, so it looks like I'll have to get a handset elsewhere and just get a SIM from them...right?

I bought a 3G handset from the Vodafone shop, took out the Vodafone SIM it came with and inserted the Asda one. It worked fine, although I did have to change the settings for the internet manually. When I got mine, the SIM cards from Asda were 50p, but that might have been an offer.

Data is 20p per megabyte, and there are no add-ons or bundles. If coverage was no object, I'd use O2 for their PAYG "unlimited" web add-on, but Asda compares well to Vodafone's impenetrable data pricing.

HaraHeeHum · 09-01-2009, 17:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by belleville1

I bought a 3G handset from the Vodafone shop, took out the Vodafone SIM it came with and inserted the Asda one. It worked fine, although I did have to change the settings for the internet manually. When I got mine, the SIM cards from Asda were 50p, but that might have been an offer.

They've come down! They're only 49p!

OK, thanks for all this info everyone - this is brilliant! Looks like I can keep my old number as well...

HaraHeeHum · 13-01-2009, 23:18

Having thought about this a bit I reckon I use my mobile a bit too much to be on PAYG, and I didn't want to feel like I was restricting its use because I was trying to keep the cost down...

...so anyway I told Vodafone I wanted to cancel my contract and they were falling over themselves to give me a better deal. They're reducing my monthly cost to £15 (from £25) which is a pretty good deal I reckon (200 anytime mins, 250 texts + stop the clock). new contract for 15 months and a new Nokia 6210 Navigator for 'free'. I'm getting an additional unlimited internet browsing bolt on for around £7pm.

Not sure if the phone's good but I can't argue with that deal.

toots66 · 14-01-2009, 13:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by HaraHeeHum

I'm getting an additional unlimited internet browsing bolt on for around £7pm.

Vodafone have a £7.50 internet add-on which sounds like the one you have, and you can remove this at any time. But if you definitely want it for the duration of the contract, they also have a £5 pack. It's listed on my bill as "VMI WEB Browsing pack £5" but I can confirm that it also works with, for example, Google Mail and Google Maps as well as my mobile's in-built web browser and Opera Mini. It's a bit less than £5 now that VAT is 15% too.

HaraHeeHum · 14-01-2009, 21:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by toots66

Vodafone have a £7.50 internet add-on which sounds like the one you have, and you can remove this at any time. But if you definitely want it for the duration of the contract, they also have a £5 pack. It's listed on my bill as "VMI WEB Browsing pack £5" but I can confirm that it also works with, for example, Google Mail and Google Maps as well as my mobile's in-built web browser and Opera Mini. It's a bit less than £5 now that VAT is 15% too.

That's interesting - I would like it for the duration of the contract so I might as well save myself £2.50+ pm... thanks!

09-01-2009, 12:53	#1
HaraHeeHum Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 612	Phone with Internet on Vodafone I have a contract with Vodafone £25pm, 200 mins, 250 texts, stop the clock... but I'm beyond the minimum term. My handset is a Nokia 6230i which is not cutting edge... but I like Nokias. I'm eligible for a handset upgrade, but I'm also looking for a phone I can use to browse the web as well. A touchscreen phone might be nice. Not bothered about a camera. I don't want to pay any more than I already do... I never use my minutes allowance each month but might use them more if they were eligible for Internet browsing too... if you excuse my ignorance on how this interweb thing on phones work. Has to be Vodafone for coverage reasons. Can anyone recommend any options out there?

09-01-2009, 13:00	#2
BoBaDoB Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Stoke On Trent/Staffordshire Posts: 1,556	new 5800express is out soon, nokias touch screen

09-01-2009, 13:19	#3
HaraHeeHum Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 612	Hmmm, bound to be fairly pricey I'd say, even with a contract! I'm prepared to stray from Nokia, but would like to be on a contract where I can use the Internet without paying through the nose for it!

09-01-2009, 13:29	#4
flagpole Inactive Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 43,524	it really depends how much you want to pay. i know they're all 'free' but if you go for a cheaper one they'll give you some money off. both the 6500's are nice and good value. not touch screen of course. best go for something 3G if you want the internet.

09-01-2009, 15:33	#5
HaraHeeHum Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 612	I pay around £25 a month just now and hoping to not pay more, or much more than that. 3G you say... I suppose I'll have to do some research to discover what that entails! Sigh! But thanks!

09-01-2009, 15:49	#6
flagpole Inactive Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 43,524	well 3G just means that the internet is fast, as opposed to the sort of dialup speed you get with a 2G phone like the one you have now. i say the 6500 model because they are about £100 on PAYG.

09-01-2009, 16:01	#7
HaraHeeHum Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 612	Would I need to be on a different contract to use 3G?

09-01-2009, 16:13	#8
belleville1 Inactive Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 2,619	If you're in the sort of area where you need Vodafone for coverage reasons (I'm in the same position, so I'm imagining the north and west of Scotland here) then I doubt very much whether 3G will be available. It's a separate network mainly covering very urban areas with fast mobile internet. But you don't need to do anything special to get 3G - as long as your phone supports it and you're in its area, you'll be able to connect to it. The only exception is if you have a very old SIM card, then you might have to request a new one from Vodafone to access the new 3G network.

09-01-2009, 16:24	#9
HaraHeeHum Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 612	Well I visit relatively remote areas in north west Scotland, but normally live in a city, so I could use 3G. And yes, Vodafone has the best coverage. O2 are probably not far behind but I have an impression they're more expensive. T-Mobile, Orange and anyone who piggybacks on these networks are no good. I don't use my mobile a huge amount so I'm wondering if I should switch to PAYG... I presume I can still keep my number even if switch to PAYG.

09-01-2009, 16:34	#10
belleville1 Inactive Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 2,619	I've gone over to Asda Mobile, who are a very cheap PAYG service (8p a minute and 4p a text) but are actually Vodafone in disguise. So I'm spending next to nothing every month on my mobile but get to take advantage of Vodafone's coverage. You can use their SIM cards in phones that are locked to Vodafone and transfer your number over to them. I don't want to sound like an advert, but it's a world away from the 3 contract I was locked into before!

09-01-2009, 16:57	#11
HaraHeeHum Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 612	Quote: Originally Posted by belleville1 I've gone over to Asda Mobile, who are a very cheap PAYG service (8p a minute and 4p a text) but are actually Vodafone in disguise. So I'm spending next to nothing every month on my mobile but get to take advantage of Vodafone's coverage. You can use their SIM cards in phones that are locked to Vodafone and transfer your number over to them. I don't want to sound like an advert, but it's a world away from the 3 contract I was locked into before! Wow... thanks! This is revolutionary!

09-01-2009, 17:19	#12
HaraHeeHum Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 612	Correct me if I'm wrong, but it appears Asda don't sell any 3G phones in their range, so it looks like I'll have to get a handset elsewhere and just get a SIM from them...right?

09-01-2009, 17:40	#13
belleville1 Inactive Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 2,619	Quote: Originally Posted by HaraHeeHum Correct me if I'm wrong, but it appears Asda don't sell any 3G phones in their range, so it looks like I'll have to get a handset elsewhere and just get a SIM from them...right? I bought a 3G handset from the Vodafone shop, took out the Vodafone SIM it came with and inserted the Asda one. It worked fine, although I did have to change the settings for the internet manually. When I got mine, the SIM cards from Asda were 50p, but that might have been an offer. Data is 20p per megabyte, and there are no add-ons or bundles. If coverage was no object, I'd use O2 for their PAYG "unlimited" web add-on, but Asda compares well to Vodafone's impenetrable data pricing.

09-01-2009, 17:41	#14
HaraHeeHum Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 612	Quote: Originally Posted by belleville1 I bought a 3G handset from the Vodafone shop, took out the Vodafone SIM it came with and inserted the Asda one. It worked fine, although I did have to change the settings for the internet manually. When I got mine, the SIM cards from Asda were 50p, but that might have been an offer. They've come down! They're only 49p! OK, thanks for all this info everyone - this is brilliant! Looks like I can keep my old number as well...

13-01-2009, 23:18	#15
HaraHeeHum Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 612	Having thought about this a bit I reckon I use my mobile a bit too much to be on PAYG, and I didn't want to feel like I was restricting its use because I was trying to keep the cost down... ...so anyway I told Vodafone I wanted to cancel my contract and they were falling over themselves to give me a better deal. They're reducing my monthly cost to £15 (from £25) which is a pretty good deal I reckon (200 anytime mins, 250 texts + stop the clock). new contract for 15 months and a new Nokia 6210 Navigator for 'free'. I'm getting an additional unlimited internet browsing bolt on for around £7pm. Not sure if the phone's good but I can't argue with that deal.

14-01-2009, 13:42	#16
toots66 Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Stockport, UK Posts: 139	Quote: Originally Posted by HaraHeeHum I'm getting an additional unlimited internet browsing bolt on for around £7pm. Vodafone have a £7.50 internet add-on which sounds like the one you have, and you can remove this at any time. But if you definitely want it for the duration of the contract, they also have a £5 pack. It's listed on my bill as "VMI WEB Browsing pack £5" but I can confirm that it also works with, for example, Google Mail and Google Maps as well as my mobile's in-built web browser and Opera Mini. It's a bit less than £5 now that VAT is 15% too.

14-01-2009, 21:40	#17
HaraHeeHum Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 612	Quote: Originally Posted by toots66 Vodafone have a £7.50 internet add-on which sounds like the one you have, and you can remove this at any time. But if you definitely want it for the duration of the contract, they also have a £5 pack. It's listed on my bill as "VMI WEB Browsing pack £5" but I can confirm that it also works with, for example, Google Mail and Google Maps as well as my mobile's in-built web browser and Opera Mini. It's a bit less than £5 now that VAT is 15% too. That's interesting - I would like it for the duration of the contract so I might as well save myself £2.50+ pm... thanks!

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Phone with Internet on Vodafone