Virgin Mobile

[Lona]

I seldom use my mobile phone except when I'm out driving on my own and might need to contact home or the AA for that matter.

I joined Virgin Mobile in 2004 on a sim only pay as you go with no monthly top up charges.  I just put in as much as I want when I want. Calls are charged at 25p a min for first 3 mins  per day but any further calls per day costs 6p per min.  I only topped up every few months.

On Friday I had to go on a long trip on my own so had my phone switched on should somebody want to get hold of me. I tried to phone home but got the message no credit.  I didn't understand that as I had never let my credit go below £5.  When I got back home I went online to top up and got into my account but was unable to top up my phone.  When I went into their help pages I was informed that my number was not a Virgin Mobile number and to phone customer service for assistance.

I phoned the next day only to be told I had been disconnected because I hadn't used my phone for some time.  I asked to be put through to complaints department but was told they didn't have a complaints department and was told to write to Swansea.

My main complaint is that Virgin Mobile should have either emailed me or wrote to me to warn me that I would be disconnected not to mention that my credit is also gone.

I've searched around to see if I can find a network that will let me pay as you go and carry forward any credit not used with no top up conditions but can't find any. 

[Simon]

I think with most, if not all, PAYG 'contracts', you have to make use of the phone at least once in a given period to keep the connection alive, and they'll probably just say it was in the small print, Lona.  I guess this is because a lot of PAYG phones are discarded, and they just 'kill off' unused numbers. 

[pctech]

Its usually either 90 or 180 days, sending a text or making a two second call is sufficient to keep it connected.

As Simon has said although like myself you probably registered and gave them your address and e-mail a lot of folks don't so they just disconnect the SIM so they can recycle the number.

In fact on the forum I used to mod we used to suggest to people when they ended contracts to get a free PAYG SIM and migrate the number to it if they didn't want to retain the number when they switched so that the contract was definitely terminated and the number would just expire and go back into circulation.

[Gary]

As Simon and Mitch mentioned, this is pretty standard for P&G I think for some networks if you don't use your phone is a year credit and number are lost it may be less now I dont know, it will be in the small print when you got the phone and topped up. The onus is on the user to read not the network to inform.

[Odos]

Not sure Lona but I think "3"s 3-2-1 PAYG will do what you want. Like you I hardly use a mobile and for years I've been with T-Mobile then 3 brought out the 3-2-1 so I've used that since with no complaints. It's a hell of a lot cheaper as well. Only downside is coverage may not be as good in your area and it's 3g only.

[peasblossom]

But, as I have learnt today, if you do move Lona, get Virgin to unlock your phone before asking for your puc/puk code.

[Lona]

But, as I have learnt today, if you do move Lona, get Virgin to unlock your phone before asking for your puc/puk code.

My phone's not locked into any network.

I've found this website so going to try that one.

http://www.yourfamilymobile.co.uk/

[pctech]

That service provider runs on EE (or did last time I checked) so you shouldn't notice any change in coverage Lona as VM also uses EE.

[davej99]

Wife, myself and family seniors don't phone much. All use Tesco PAYG SIM only. Top up £10 when you like, this lasts indefinitely, subject to occasional text as mentioned. Get another £20 "free" on top which lasts a month. Tend to top up when going away so useage is "free" and still retain base top-up. Service uses O2 so locked O2 phones work. Coverage is quite good in rural Scotland, as is Vodaphone. Others are iffy.

[peasblossom]

But, as I have learnt today, if you do move Lona, get Virgin to unlock your phone before asking for your puc/puk code.

Noting that Lona's answered this post of mine, I see I should have changed the last bit. I meant pac code. Sigh. As you were.

[Lona]

That service provider runs on EE (or did last time I checked) so you shouldn't notice any change in coverage Lona as VM also uses EE.

What's  EE?

[Simon]

http://ee.co.uk/

It's a merger of Orange and T-Mobile.

[Lona]

http://ee.co.uk/

It's a merger of Orange and T-Mobile.

Thanks Simon

[pctech]

Apologies Lona, I should have explained.

[Lona]

Apologies Lona, I should have explained.

No problem, when it comes to mobile phones I am ignorant.

[Lance]

Only when it comes to mobiles?

[Simon]

[Lance]

[Lona]

Only when it comes to mobiles?