PAYG phones. Do the...
 

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[Closed] PAYG phones. Do they get disconnected if not used for months ?

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I'm organising a trailquest soon ([url= http://www.midlandtrailquests.co.uk/events-and-results/events.php ]Wyre Forest on December 5th[/url], since you ask) and all the Control Point marker boards that are left tied to telegraph poles and fences during the event need to have a contact number on them.

There's at least two different organisers sharing the same boards, so to avoid having to keep crossing out and writing a new phone number on each time, and because some people don't like to have their phone number publicised, I have bought a cheap PAYG phone that can stay with the boards.

I had to put £10 credit on the phone and I asked the girl in the shop if it lasted forever and meant I could send one text today and another one in a years time and she said yes, although not in a very convincing way.

I have heard elsewhere that if a PAYG phone doesn't get used for a few months, the phone company disconnects it.

Is that true ?
Will I have to send a text once a month to keep the number active ?
It's on Virgin, if that makes a difference.


 
Posted : 02/12/2010 9:48 am
 j_me
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I have a PayGo sim on vodaphpne. Only use it for a fortnight once a year when we're on holiday. Never had a problem.


 
Posted : 02/12/2010 9:50 am
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it will be in the T&Cs that came with the phone.


 
Posted : 02/12/2010 9:54 am
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What CK said - I know Vodafone cut you off after a set time, 3 or 6 months IIRC.


 
Posted : 02/12/2010 9:59 am
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I have an an old PAYG phone that's had a Virgin SIM in it for 3 years, I topped it up with £20 when I got it & it still works OK [& has £18.60 left]


 
Posted : 02/12/2010 10:02 am
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Thanks for the replies, even tough two of them contradict each other. 😕

I guess I'll have to read the T&Cs then.

Edit because of cross posting with uplink.
Thanks, looks like I should be OK then.


 
Posted : 02/12/2010 10:03 am
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I'd be a bit careful - I have a PAYG with Orange and it got cut-off last year causing quite a lot of hassle. In my T&C it says it gets cut-off after 6 months, and I had definately used it 2 months previously. Orange tried to argue with me that I hadn't and that they had already given the number to someone else. I had to stand in the shop for 4 hours but it did get sorted out eventually... I send a text every 2 months or so just to keep it "active".


 
Posted : 02/12/2010 10:10 am
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I just read the T&Cs, as a supplement to asking on STW, and I've got to make a call or send a text within 180 days.


 
Posted : 02/12/2010 10:51 am
 j_me
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I've got to make a call or send a text within 180 days.

Is that within 180 days of registering the phone? Or is it every 180 days?

*I'll add to my first post that the phone is always kept topped up by at least £10. It is quite an old SIM (>5 years) so maybe the T&C's have changed now they give SIMS away for next to nothing.


 
Posted : 02/12/2010 10:55 am
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i had an orange pay as you go and just used it when i didnt want to take my good phone. tried to use it a week ago and its cut off, contacted orange and they said they get cut off if not used for 6 weeks


 
Posted : 02/12/2010 11:03 am
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I should have made that clearer.
I need to use the phone to make a chargeable call or send a text at least once within any 180 day period.


 
Posted : 02/12/2010 11:14 am
 cp
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Leigh - 6 months surely?


 
Posted : 02/12/2010 11:30 am
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I need to use the phone to make a chargeable call or send a text at least once within any 180 day period.

Yeah, maybe I've done that - I've used £1.40 somewhere I guess


 
Posted : 02/12/2010 11:32 am
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We have one sat in the draw that was last used in october 2009, i've just tried it now and it worked fine.
HTH


 
Posted : 02/12/2010 11:59 am
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They have to re-allocate the number eventually otherwise they'll run out


 
Posted : 02/12/2010 12:07 pm
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I have used [url= http://www.prepaymania.co.uk/type/Prepay.html ]pay as you go phones[/url] with vodafone and orange both, and i guess i had always complete my contract period but had never check the balance, lol


 
Posted : 23/02/2011 9:12 am

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