How do all these other phone companies know my phone contract is up for renewal?

[Anonymous]

Been contacted by a third company today regarding my O2 contract being up for renewal shortly. How much do 02 make on selling my information over to them? Is it in our contracts that we can be cold called and texted continuously up to the date I need to get a new contract?
Please can someone from 02 please let me know how these companies get my details and if it is part of my contract then I am afraid we are parting ways; reception is so poor in my flat anyways and it's not like I am in the middle of nowhere. 
Also all contracts seem to be 24 months guessing initially thought this was to be more green however when I saw the release of refresh it was to make more green.

Shame I have been with you for over 10 years but now I fear I will be moving on.

[Anonymous]

I think you can go into My02 and change your preferences.

You may have to call 02 on 202 and ask for these calls to stop.

I would suggest you never upgrade this way as this is best done after doing lots of homework on whats available from 02 and the other networks. Plus you may be able to haggle on aspects of the upgrade or get some freebie accessories !

We are all 02 customers here so you wont get any official response.

I understand what your saying regarding long term contracts which is why I personally choose to remain on Pay as You Go.

Regarding connection issues.

Check one of your masts is not down.

http://status.o2.co.uk/

Try removing your Sim Card and wiping it down to remove static build up.

Another option is to replace your current Sim Card by picking up a blank Sim Card from your local 02 shop, or ask for one to be posted to you.

Then carry out the SwapMySim procedure.

I have included the link to do this.

http://swapmysim.o2.co.uk/

Take into account it takes from approx 2 hours to 24 hours to fully activate, and by turning your phone off and on throughout this period helps to reset your services.

[Anonymous]

cheers for the tips, when I chatted to a guru about it briefly the other day they just told me to block the number which I have done for all of them after telling them I only deal direct with O2 just seems worse this time. I know they are not the only company who do this and who knows could probably get a better deal with one of them but I prefer to do my own shopping around rather than a pushy cold call.

[Anonymous]

Lots of people make a knee jerk decision while on the phone to these companies who are after making a kickback fee from the networks, and then can soon find out the tariff and or handset accpeted is indeed not the best deal out there.