O2 Refresh without a handset?

[Anonymous]

Is it possible to get the O2 Refresh tariff without a handset, either by buying a handset and returning it immediately for a refund but keeping the contract or not taking a handset in the first place?

I have my own iPhone 5S so I don't need a handset.  I'm entitled to the Open discount scheme so would like to get the tariff with discount (and not have the added benefit of not being tied into a contract).  O2 don't currently do one monthly rolling 4G contracts and their 12 month 4G sim only tariffs are rather expensive - especially when compared to Three (soon to be 4G enabled) or Tesco (4G enabled when Apple send the update).

[Anonymous · Accepted solution]

Hi.

Sounds like you want your cake and to eat it. Lol.

I don't believe what your wanting to do is possible on these types of tariffs.

Here are the faqs http://www.o2.co.uk/mobile/refresh/frequent-questions/fast-track

http://www.o2.co.uk/mobile/refresh/frequent-questions

I'm waiting for the 4g payg tariff to include iPhones.



This Help link May Be of interest. https://www.o2.co.uk/shop/simplicity/SmartPhone/?is4G=true#showAll=true

[MI5]

In short, No, you can't do that.
If you don't want a handset take a sim only deal.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the responses.

I just want a 4G tariff at a more decent price preferably on a rolling contract (which O2 are not currently offering).  I was with O2 for 5 years on an old iPhone legacy tariff that included unlimited data but this could not be 4G enabled.

I recently bought an iPhone 5S on EE (my first phone contract in 5 years) and the deal worked out at under £20 per month for 10GB 4G data and unlimited minutes and texts.  Unfortunately their 3G and 4G coverage was not as good as estimated so I cancelled this and decided to revert to buying my airtime and handset separately.  

• Three's offering is 2000 mins, 5000 texts and unlimited data for £18 per month on a rolling contract (4G launches next month) or £15 if you commit to a 12 month contract.
• Tesco offering is 500 mins, 5000 texts and 8GB 4G data for £25 per month (other configurations available, iPhone not currently available on 4G, no tethering on iPhone).

O2's offering is less competitive - starting at £26 for just 1GB on a 12 month contract.  I don't use that many minutes or texts and to be honest, data usage on my iPhone is probably under 2GB (that's just £12.50 with Tesco).  I'd like to tether on occasion though as I will be travelling more with work so would prefer a higher data allowance.

I note that the Carphone Warehouse are offering cashback on O2's 12 month sim-only deals but what I like about the Refresh tariffs is that you can cancel the airtime contract at any time if the phone plan is paid off.  This is good for me because O2's reception was awful at my last employer location so I'd like the freedom of a contract that can be cancelled.  

I could just buy a handset on referesh and sell it but resell value is substantially lower so it's not worth it.  If I could have got the O2 Refresh deal with the discount and ability to cancel, then I'd be rather satisfied.  O2's current sim only and PAYG options just aren't competitive. 

Back to the drawing board...

[Anonymous]

Hi,

Unfortunately the Refresh T&C's say your not to dispose of the handset until its paid off so I cannot officially agree with that option.  

You could take up the Refresh Tariff and Sell your current handset and use the funds to pay a lump sum off.   

It does pay to shop around which is what your currently doing.

I would suggest you get hold of an O2 Payg sim by ordering one online or by popping into a high-street store, and use it for a week or so where you Live, Commute and Work just to ensure you are supplied a decent signal.

That's assuming your phone is currently unlocked to all Networks.

Use this to get an idea of the service http://status.o2.co.uk/

Enjoy the adventure.

[Anonymous]

I know O2 works where I live and where I'm currently working. It wasn't very good on train routes for my last contract.  I work in hospitals so mobile reception can be a particular issue.  I also found that when I had a strong 3G signal on O2, I often had really slow data speeds (perhaps 4G won't really make a difference).  The problem for me is that I do contract work so may be in a place for 3 to 6 months (sometimes longer) and then I'm on the move again.  I genuinely thought that EE with it's established 3G network and new 4G network would have been great but it's 3G coverage is really patchy over parts of London (not like how Orange used to be).

I can return my unlocked iPhone 5S as the one I am using was bought in the last two weeks direct from Apple.  However, I can't get an iPhone 5S on refresh with the Open discount which is a shame because the cost of the handset is slightly cheaper plus I wouldn't be in a contract once the phone was paid off.  I can't test O2 4G on my iPhone 5S without a contract because O2 are not currently offering PAYG 4G tariffs on the iPhone.  The other option for me is to buy another handset with the discount, pay off the handset and sell it but I'd lose around £200 on the handset so it's not worth it.

Looks like the shame of having Tesco as your carrier name or go for Three for me...

[MI5]

https://www.google.co.uk/#q=there's+nothing+funny+about+tesco+mobile

[Bambino]

Good adverts. 

[Anonymous]

There's nothing funny as long as it's not you that has it!  My colleague at work gets ripped all the time about being on Tesco.  Even one of the students said they'd never be that tight!  However, the laughter stops when he says he pays £10 a month and asks how much they pay for their contract!  

There are two things that make it obvious you have Tesco Mobile - the carrier name that appears on your phone (used to say O2 but now says supermarket value) and the voicemail kindly tells callers that they've called the Tesco voicemail!

Aside from the shame, Tesco don't offer visual voicemail which is not major but they also don't offer call forwarding (so no options for alternative voicemail provider or diverting calls).  They don't offering tethering on the iPhone (they claim is because of Apple).  They also are not switching on 4G for the iPhone as yet (again they claim because Apple have not yet agreed to send a carrier update to enable it - which sounds about right as O2 themselves had a similar issue).

Tesco is great value but they're not quite there yet!

[MI5]

Turn off voicemail, stick black tape on your screen over the "Tesco" logo and save £15+ a month