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Cellular forums Home > Archive > Cell Phones in Great Britain > December 2006 > Goodbye ED50, hello... looking for new tariff
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Goodbye ED50, hello... looking for new tariff
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| Sohail Hussain 2006-12-12, 3:33 pm |
| 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 =A335, 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$2691$ed2
619ec@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)
..=2E..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
=A335 seems to be a sweet spot for tariffs. I've seen these 18 month
contracts:
- Orange Racoon - =A335 (550 x-net, 3000 landline) - since this will be
an upgrade, I'll get a crap phone
- TMob Flext - =A330 (885 x-net) - data is very expensive on this
though. I don't need Web&Walk
- o2 Online Talker - =A335 (800 x-net) - the only deal with 'proper'[4]
rollover mins. Includes 1MB data
- Voda AT500 - =A332 (750 mins x-net)
If I brave the cashback world, Reestit's site shows these 12 month
contracts:
- o2 500 - =A315pcm for 500 mins with E2Save or OSPS
- TMob Relax 35 - =A30pcm 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 =A322pcm) 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!
| |
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| Sohail Hussain wrote:
> 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 =A335, 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$2691$ed2
619ec@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.
<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
| |
| Sohail Hussain 2006-12-14, 10:33 am |
| Dan wrote:
> Sohail Hussain wrote:
emise of[color=darkred]
<snip>
[color=darkred]
> 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 =A335"
> 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
> 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.
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
| |
|
| Sohail Hussain wrote:
> Dan wrote:
demise of[color=darkred]
> <snip>
>
>
> 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 =A335"
>
>
> Nope, just line 1.
>
>
> Okey dokey - let's go through the points you've raised.
>
>
> 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.
>
>
> 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?
>
>
> Their website (PDF at http://tinyurl.com/y9jgjo) says you can't :-(
>
>
> 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?
>
>
> Unfortunately I don't have that option :-(
>
>
> 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
>
>
> 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.
>
>
> 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
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
| |
| Chris Malcolm 2006-12-19, 12:33 pm |
| Sohail Hussain <smth.public@gmail.com> wrote:
> Dan wrote:
> <snip>
[color=darkred]
> 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!
--
Chris 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/]
| |
| Sohail Hussain 2006-12-19, 12:33 pm |
| > > I've been a bigger fan of ED50 than most, and and feel a bit bad
>
> 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!
| |
| martin_pentreath@hotmail.com 2006-12-19, 10:33 pm |
| Dan wrote:
> 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.
| |
| Sohail Hussain 2006-12-20, 7:33 am |
| Dan wrote:
> 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.
| |
|
| martin_pentreath@hot
mail.com wrote:
> Dan wrote:
> 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/...%20_
0249
Dan
| |
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| Sohail Hussain wrote:
> Dan wrote:
> 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/
| |
| Sohail Hussain 2006-12-27, 3:33 pm |
| Dan wrote:
> 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/...
off_line_rent=
al?WT. mc_id=3DConNovPa25%2
0_0249
Interesting. Mind you, even with the full 25%, that's only a saving of
=A345/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.
| |
| Sohail Hussain 2006-12-27, 3:33 pm |
| Dan wrote:
> Sohail Hussain wrote:
>
> 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.
OK Dan, you have an email sent to your btinternet address.
| |
|
| Sohail Hussain wrote:
> Dan wrote:
ntal?WT. mc_id=3DConNovPa25%2
0_0249[color=darkred
]
>
> Interesting. Mind you, even with the full 25%, that's only a saving of
> =A345/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.
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
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