Pay Monthly and Pay & Go

[jonsie Level 60: Scholar]

You can check all your previous bills through My O2. Just go back the previous 12 months which should give you an idea of your expected usage for the future.

I'm currently on an older simplicity tariff with unlimited data so I purchase a sim free phone when I want a change. They would have to beat me over the head with a stick before I give up my tariff

[KaySquidge]

From where I see it, you got two options: 

Buy a handset independently and keep using your old tariff, or

Get a handset upgrade with a new contract and pay a little bit extra on your tariff to cover for the costs of the handset (which will be at a lower price compared to buying it independently). You will then be entering into a new contract with O2 and when the minimum term of your contract ends (which could be between 6 and 12 months depending on your contract), then you can downgrade to a cheaper tariff. 

Either way, you will have to pay a little more to get something new. What makes a difference for you is that, if you take the second option (either with O2 or another provider), you will be paying a tad more than your current tariff so as to cover the costs of the new phone.

The catch is, how much you will be getting with your new tariff? Which provider will give you the most cost-effective maximum-allowance tariff so you get more for your money? But considering what you have mentioned about your consumption, striking a deal like that would be of no meaning to you as you are a low-consumption customer. So, is it worth changing from O2 to a new provider, even if the allowances you will be getting for roughly the same price make no difference to you? You will be paying a little more than you are currently paying either way.

Competition and business makes it so all companies adhere to standards and pricing regulations. Of course if you compare a 12-y.o. tariff to any new tariffs there will be considerable difference, no matter which provider you choose.

[Ellistar]

I am sorry? did I miss the real meaning of customer loyalty since I worked in comms?

The company wants to keep us, the customer, BECAUSE it is expensive to lose us and see us pop from one network to another. For that reason they show equal or better deals to those people who have shown the the greatest loyalty. The only time we have any power is when we are out of contract and can walk. So they should WANT us in contract with them.

This is clearly not what o2 are currently doing, while they clear up old tariffs and force very long term customers to "step up" to new limited data and more expensive rates.

They ARE more expensive whatever the internal policy since they can simply say, well if you don't change anything then you can keep it.  

But if you want to, get a new sim, change your call minutes, texts or data rate, Up OR down, get a new handset, change your insurance or indeed make any change what so ever then you are in fact going to immediately effectively be moved to a new tariff. like it or not. 

How do I know? This is exactly what I am being threatened with after only 15 years of loyalty and all I want to do is get a new phone and sign a contract. Seems reasonable to me but apparently not.

[JJ]

I have exactly the same problem having been with O2 for a mere 10 years. Why should I have to give up my tariff which is ideal for me and then have to pay almost double for a worse tariff in order to upgrade this time. The whole thing stinks methinks.

[DaveC Level 19: Quirky]

Doesn't stink at all. You sign up for a contract for x years for y amount. If, after those years you don't cancel you stay where you are. (Although Orange and T-Mobile have put up charges for existing customers recently.) 

If you want the latest phone you have to end your contract. I've been on contracts for the last 19 years and that is the way it is. 

If you are not happy you are free to look around for a better deal.