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Cellular Phone Forum / Country Specific / UK Group / December 2006Goodbye ED50, hello... looking for new tariff
GOODBYE ED50.... I've been a fan of Orange Everyday 50 for a while now (see 1114434314.830391@ernani.logica.co.uk and 1130515858.819596@ernani.logica.co.uk) even though my friends have long since moved onto x-net inclusive tariffs. However, with the demise of free 0800, my bills are now reaching about £35, even with the use of calling cards. That sort of line rental can give me enough minutes without the hassle, so it's time to move on. My PAC code has been given with no attempt to keep me. AMO summed up the demise of ED50's competitiveness quite nicely a few months ago (4514f816$0$2691$ed2619ec@ptn-nntp-reader02.plus.net). What I will miss: - inclusive CSD WAP. I regularly browse in the evenings with Opera Mini. I can browse for half an hour without worrying about how much data I'm downloading - the ability to talk for hours to a landline in the evenings without worrying about using up a monthly allowance. - the occasional use of 0845/0870 call-throughs (although calls are pretty cheap without these now) and true GSM conference calling. What I will not miss: - use of calling cards for x-net and peak calls - it was getting to be a hassle (too many access numbers to remember [1], very finicky to use [2] and waiting up to a minute before being connected [3]) - no text allowance. I use smsbug/vgsmail, but replying to texts is a lot more hassle than just replying normally. Also I find it more unreliable than sending normally (about 1 in 4 texts failed) ....HELLO NEW TARIFF So, I'm on the lookout for a new tariff. My monthly usage is - 500-600 minutes. Peak/Off-Peak usage ratio is 1:2. Usage is evenly split between landline and mobile (all networks) - 30 texts - 1-2MB of GPRS data I don't need a new phone (quiet happy with my K700i) - so I intend to sell any I get. I don't want two SIMS and need to keep my number. I don't mind an 18-month contract. I'm not interested in double-whatever for the first few months of a contract. Finally, I like the voicemail spool £35 seems to be a sweet spot for tariffs. I've seen these 18 month contracts: - Orange Racoon - £35 (550 x-net, 3000 landline) - since this will be an upgrade, I'll get a crap phone - TMob Flext - £30 (885 x-net) - data is very expensive on this though. I don't need Web&Walk - o2 Online Talker - £35 (800 x-net) - the only deal with 'proper'[4] rollover mins. Includes 1MB data - Voda AT500 - £32 (750 mins x-net) If I brave the cashback world, Reestit's site shows these 12 month contracts: - o2 500 - £15pcm for 500 mins with E2Save or OSPS - TMob Relax 35 - £0pcm for 500 mins with BuyMobilePhones, MobileOutlet, PhoneBoxDirect, CoolNewMobile & Phones2U - Voda 500 - same deal and cashback providers as TMob (better reception, but no voicemail spool [5]) Three are offering some good deals, even without cashback (e.g. VTT1100, 600mins for £22pcm) but folks in my locality (SE25) have complained in the past about reception, so I'll probaly steer clear. Also, I'd prefer to stick with my non-3G phone. Sooo.... any recommendations? Any comments on the cashback providers mentioned above? I don't mind following their T&C's to the letter, but some stories here about having to nearly go to court don't bode too well. Also, do they all accept PAC codes? Or should I just jump to Three - Steve Terry has commented that they have improved. TIA Sohail [1] I use 5 access numbers. A 0800/0870 Qxdial pair for peak/off-peak mobile (costing 16p/4p per min), a similar pair using PreDial (since QXDial didn't connect to Three's network), and one 0845 for peak landline. [2] You can't just ring someone from your phonebook, but have to call an access number first (I used a Java applet written by someone on Esato). You can't see the number of the person you called on your outgoing calls list, only the access number. Old SE phones didn't have these issues, but could only store 2 access numbers, and changing between them was a pain. [3] This is for 0800 numbers. It takes about 20 seconds for the Orange lady to warn that you will be charged. With an additional wait for QXDial, it can take nearly a minute before you are actually connected. [4] i.e. Exclusing Orange's not-very-useful idea of rollover [5] OK, someone mentioned on here that you CAN get the spool enabled, but will also keep getting text alerts - no thanks! > GOODBYE ED50.... > I've been a fan of Orange Everyday 50 for a while now (see [quoted text clipped - 15 lines] > - the occasional use of 0845/0870 call-throughs (although calls are > pretty cheap without these now) and true GSM conference calling. <snip> Your not going to kill an ED50 are you? :-( Is it just a line 1, or OVP/ED50 combo? I'd give it a second thought if I were you, before using your PAC code, and talk to me ;-) I could add a few more advantages to that list and previous posts... You can store access numbers in the phone book, create dial strings for numbers you call the most, you could be using your qxdial units with callback for peak calls, which are rather good as they have lowered peak mobile rates. I believe you can add text bundles online, if you really want to use a dial-through you can reduce your peak calls to 10p/min by using 0844 numbers, and earn points on some calls. I no longer get the message when calling 0800 number as I had the freephone bundle added, even though I get charged now, that old buddle sitting on my account seems to have removed the message, even so you could use a dial-through for them, avoid the orange recording, and earn some extra points too. Using qxdial callback from orange you get the approx anytime rates: calling fixed lines inc freephone - 5.5p/min calling other networks - 8p/min to 8.5p/min calling three network - 9.5p/min (Assuming each unit stored calling 0870 is worth 1p at off-peak rate) These rates could be lower, but I'm going on the callback being charged as if you were calling the freephone number to orange, you'll need to confirm this. Steve Terry may have a three contract, but still holds on to his ED50 tariff, I'm the same. Dan > > GOODBYE ED50.... > > I've been a fan of Orange Everyday 50 for a while now <snip> with the demise of > > free 0800, my bills are now reaching about £35, even with the use of > > calling cards. That sort of line rental can give me enough minutes > > without the hassle, so it's time to move on. <snip> > Your not going to kill an ED50 are you? :-( I've been a bigger fan of ED50 than most, and and feel a bit bad letting it go. I'm torn between keeping it, and the feeling that it's competitiveness (for my call pattern) is starting to wane. From AMO's post: "They designed the tariff... to be competitive about 5 years ago when calls were expensive... In a world where more people have phones on differing networks, have more differing work patterns...there is diminishing benefits to being on ED50.... The majority of people wanting to get cheap deals now tend to go for 11/12 month cashback deals.... In recent months, the deals have changed drastically. In the past, it was not really possible to, for example, get 500 [x-net] minutes...for £35" > Is it just a line 1, or OVP/ED50 combo? Nope, just line 1. > I'd give it a second thought if I were you, before using your PAC code, > and talk to me ;-) > I could add a few more advantages to that list and previous posts... Okey dokey - let's go through the points you've raised. > You can store access numbers in the phone book, create dial strings for > numbers you call the most, I've done that for most used numbers. I use a predial 0870 to earn points on most-used off-peak landline calls, and qxdial 0800 for most-used peak mobile calls. >you could be using your qxdial units with > callback for peak calls, which are rather good as they have lowered > peak mobile rates. That's interesting. What do you mean by call back? Do you mean that you dial a number of theirs, and then they call you back, and then you dial the number you wish to call (like those interntional call-back services)? There's no mention of such a service on their website (http://tinyurl.com/yn7xvq). How do you use it? I'm only using QXDials 0808 access number for for peak mobile calls, but the delay is a hassle. Does call back take less time? > I believe you can add text bundles online, Their website (PDF at http://tinyurl.com/y9jgjo) says you can't :-( >if you really want to use a > dial-through you can reduce your peak calls to 10p/min by using 0844 > numbers, and earn points on some calls. 10p/min? The same as 0800?? The last reports I saw were more like 35p/min (on this group - http://tinyurl.com/yfg5qp), if they could be connected at all. Does your experience say otherwise? > I no longer get the message when calling 0800 number as I had the > freephone bundle added, even though I get charged now, that old buddle > sitting on my account seems to have removed the message, Unfortunately I don't have that option :-( >even so you > could use a dial-through for them, avoid the orange recording, and earn > some extra points too. Again, I don't see a cheaper way than a 0800 access (10p/min) number for peak mobile calls and a 0845 dial-through (12p/min) for landlines > Using qxdial callback from orange you get the approx anytime rates: > calling fixed lines inc freephone - 5.5p/min [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > charged as if you were calling the freephone number to orange, you'll > need to confirm this. Again please detail how I'd use call back. Assuming I only briefly have to call the call-back number (before it hangs up, and calls me back), I'd use a non-freephone number since that won't have a long delay before connecting. > Steve Terry may have a three contract, but still holds on to his ED50 > tariff, I'm the same. I know. I was thinking to do the same, but I really only want to be carrying one phone at a time. ED50 doesn't seem to fit as a one-phone solution in today's competitive environment. However, even without the decent phone subsidy, your points have got me thinking whether to keep it a bit longer... Sohail > > > GOODBYE ED50.... > > > I've been a fan of Orange Everyday 50 for a while now <snip> with the demise of [quoted text clipped - 98 lines] > > Sohail Firstly you need to delete all the freephone access numbers from your contacts, and replace them with the equivalent 0844 access numbers, as is this currently the third (maybe fourth if magic numbers become available) most expensive way to access calling cards/dial throughs at peak times on ED50, plus you won't get the orange recording before you dial each time! Cheapest way to call during peak times is using qxdial callback, you ring a number once (no charge) and it rings you back within seconds with a cheap outside line. (confirmed at 5p/min for fixed lines/freephone from Orange using stored off-peak rate/units via 0870) You just send a quick email to qxtelecom, and say that you want callback activated on your number, and they'll give you the access numbers. If your units balance drops below zero, you need to call 0870 1190219 once to reset it. If you really want to use a dial-through for freephone numbers use pre-dial as you can earn points on those calls via 0844, and use 0870 off-peak for free. You can also speed-up your CSD Wap (same applies to dial-up with a modem dial string) to 14.4kbps instead of 9.6kbps at no extra cost, look at your settings under data call speed, and change it to 14400 (no higher) I have other tips, email me, but put something all in caps in the subject line, so I don't miss it. Dan > I have other tips, email me, but put something all in caps in the > subject line, so I don't miss it. Hi Dan, I found the post very useful, and I'd also be interested in any other ED50 tips, why not post them here. > > I have other tips, email me, but put something all in caps in the > > subject line, so I don't miss it. > Hi Dan, I found the post very useful, and I'd also be interested in any > other ED50 tips, why not post them here. Glad someone finds it useful... Another idea is to get Orange loyalty, I have now built-up 15% discount on my line rental in just 18 months, by upgrading within the last 3 months of my contract, without handsets, for Orange loyalty only. You can get up to a maximum of 25% off your line rental per/month, see: http://shop.orange.co.uk/shop/show/offer/upgrade_ten_percent_off_line_rental?WT. mc_id=ConNovPa25%20_0249 Dan > Another idea is to get Orange loyalty, I have now built-up 15% discount > on my line rental in just 18 months, by upgrading within the last 3 > months of my contract, without handsets, for Orange loyalty only. > > You can get up to a maximum of 25% off your line rental per/month, see: >http://shop.orange.co.uk/shop/show/offer/upgrade_ten_percent_off_line_rental?WT. mc_id=ConNovPa25%20_0249 Interesting. Mind you, even with the full 25%, that's only a saving of ?45/year, and they usually upgrade you to a phone that you can sell for a bit more. I suppose it saves the hassle of having to sell the phone. > > Another idea is to get Orange loyalty, I have now built-up 15% discount > > on my line rental in just 18 months, by upgrading within the last 3 [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > for a bit more. I suppose it saves the hassle of having to sell the > phone. I'm building up the discount to the maximum as quick as possible, or for a longer term (18 months) you can get a handset as well. For example, you can get 10% discount for your first year (5% there after) without a handset (12 month contract) or with a handset (18 month contract) AFAIU It's a permanent discount, so once its built-up it just sits on the account, you get it every month, year after year regardless if you upgrade again, or upgrade with/without a handset. When you've built-up 25% discount, you can still get a handset every year and sell it, but you'd be better off. Dan > I have other tips, email me, but put something all in caps in the > subject line, so I don't miss it. Many thanks for your help so far. As requested, I've sent you an email. > > I have other tips, email me, but put something all in caps in the > > subject line, so I don't miss it. > Many thanks for your help so far. As requested, I've sent you an email. Sorry I didn't receive it as I have all gmail.com addresses set as spam by default on that email address. If you like, you can email or call the number on my website below, I'll be happy to call you back. -- Dan http://www.u.genie.btinternet.co.uk/ > > > I have other tips, email me, but put something all in caps in the > > > subject line, so I don't miss it. [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > If you like, you can email or call the number on my website below, I'll > be happy to call you back. OK Dan, you have an email sent to your btinternet address. >> > GOODBYE ED50.... >> > I've been a fan of Orange Everyday 50 for a while now <snip> with the demise of >> > free 0800, my bills are now reaching about ?35, even with the use of >> > calling cards. That sort of line rental can give me enough minutes >> > without the hassle, so it's time to move on. > <snip> >> Your not going to kill an ED50 are you? :-( > I've been a bigger fan of ED50 than most, and and feel a bit bad > letting it go. Letting it go? You can get a good price for a SIM with an Orange ED50 contract on Ebay!  SignatureChris Malcolm cam@infirmatics.ed.ac.uk DoD #205 IPAB, Informatics, JCMB, King's Buildings, Edinburgh, EH9 3JZ, UK [http://www.dai.ed.ac.uk/homes/cam/] > > I've been a bigger fan of ED50 than most, and and feel a bit bad > > letting it go. > > Letting it go? You can get a good price for a SIM with an Orange ED50 > contract on Ebay! I know, but i want to keep my number! |
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