Cheap (unsexy) phones... cheap contracts

[Guest Big Ron - No Longer a Mem]

OK, so this is probably the LEAST appropriate forum on the planet to raise such an issue - a place where people who can't afford to buy GPRS airtime nonetheless "strut their stuff" with hi-tech hardware. But maybe some have friends, family... who can't afford a decent phone, or the running costs. For THEM, help is at hand.

What you need is a two-part setup. A "SIM-only" deal - the one I have with O2 that gives me 60 minutes a month of talktime (any network, any time of day) for £3.54 a month, and a one-off admin/delivery payment of £10. That's cheaper than PAYG (unless you just carry a phone around "for emergencies", and never actually USE it.)

So, you've got the SIM and the contract... but that doesn't let you make calls. You also need a SIM-free phone. After considerable searching, I've found two sites: www.unimobiles.com and http://www.easyfonecomms.co.uk. Both offer CHEAP phones. And by "cheap" I mean £16 and up (ex VAT & delivery) Some of the phones are antiques (That £16 deal is for an Ericsson "flipfone") Some are "used", some refurbished (same as you'd get from Orange "Care", if yours got lost or broken) and some are "14 Day". (Phones are sold with a 14-day money back no-quibble warranty, dating back to the time when coverage was patchy. If your home/workplace wasn't covered, no point in having the phone, so you got your money back. The deal is still there. You can just decide you don't want it after all, and return it for a full refund. These are phones that have been handed back within 14 days.) Some are brand new and unissued - they're just "last year's model" overstock. £25-£35 gets you quite a GOOD phone. WAP, IRD link, enhanced audio... (Like a Siemens MY3026) Not a fashion statement, to be sure... but acceptable.

£40ish for the phone and "setup" deal.... £3.50 a month for an hour's "anytime" usage. If you're prepared to make ALL your outgoing calls off-peak, with a different contract the number of "free" minutes rises to as many as 750 - the monthly charge stays the same. If an ordinary phone is all you want, and your usage is likely to be light... they're hard deals to beat.

If you know someone who fits that description, spread the word. The SIMs by the way come from www.scancom.co.uk

[Guest madu]

This indeed sounds sweeet!!! I'l get that SIMonly as soon as my contract runs out (unless there's a new contract with a new hi-tech SmartPhone out... hehe)

[Guest Gorskar]

Thats definately the sensible thing to do to save money.

Unfortunatly I just know I wont be able to stop myself getting the latest SP2003 phone when my contract runs out again.