PAYG Vodafone disconnected due to lack of use.

#1 (**permalink**) 12-23-2006, 07:31 PM

I had my Orange phone number ported to a Vodafone pay as you go SIM.

Today I switched the phone on and it said "SIM Card registration
failed". I hadn't used the phone in some time so I assumed they had
disconnected it again. I phoned up Vodafone to try and get it
reconnected and they just said it couldn't be done. I should have made
a call at least every 90 days to keep it connected.

I'm slightly annoyed at this. I've lost the phone number that I've had
for 10 years and all the credit that was on the phone.

Is there a PAYG tariff available that will allow me to keep a number
without using the phone very much?

#2 (**permalink**) 12-23-2006, 07:33 PM

"annoyed tuna" <annoyedtuna@yahoo.co.uk> wrote in message
news:1166905865.366597.310690@f1g2000cwa.googlegro ups.com
> I had my Orange phone number ported to a Vodafone pay as
> you go SIM.
>
> Today I switched the phone on and it said "SIM Card
> registration failed". I hadn't used the phone in some
> time so I assumed they had disconnected it again. I
> phoned up Vodafone to try and get it reconnected and they
> just said it couldn't be done. I should have made a call
> at least every 90 days to keep it connected.

So why didn't you..?

> I'm slightly annoyed at this. I've lost the phone number
> that I've had for 10 years and all the credit that was on
> the phone.
>
> Is there a PAYG tariff available that will allow me to
> keep a number without using the phone very much?

Most will allow one call per 180 days, Vodafone is an exception.

I have a Virgin SIM in the car glovebox as a standby emergency phone, it's
still live although it hasn't made a chargeable call since March.

Ivor

#3 (**permalink**) 12-23-2006, 07:40 PM

On 23 Dec 2006 12:31:05 -0800, "annoyed tuna"
<annoyedtuna@yahoo.co.uk> wrote:

>I'm slightly annoyed at this. I've lost the phone number that I've had
>for 10 years and all the credit that was on the phone.

What did Customer Relations say when you wrote to them?
--
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#4 (**permalink**) 12-23-2006, 07:42 PM

Ivor Jones wrote:

> > I should have made a call
> > at least every 90 days to keep it connected.
>
> So why didn't you..?

I wasn't aware the limit was so short. I've never had a PAYG phone
before and was stupid enough not to read the Terms & Conditions.

I only need the number when I work freelance and it's only for
incoming calls, sometimes I go months without using it. Previously I
had it as Line 2 on an Orange phone.

#5 (**permalink**) 12-23-2006, 07:45 PM

> What did Customer Relations say when you wrote to them?

I haven't written to them.Are you suggesting I should?

#6 (**permalink**) 12-23-2006, 07:47 PM

On 23 Dec 2006 12:45:08 -0800, "annoyed tuna"
<annoyedtuna@yahoo.co.uk> wrote:

>> What did Customer Relations say when you wrote to them?
>
>I haven't written to them.Are you suggesting I should?

You're quite happy to have your 10 year old number to just expire?

It can't have been at all valuable to you. Why not just take the new
number?
--
-- Nick ICQ: 9235201 EMAIL & MSN: nickmooney@spamcop.net
-- LOTR#4 SKOGA#8 DS#7 BOTAFOT#159 BOTM#2 FBOTY#06 PM#11
-- Suzuki GSF600n - www.bgn.me.uk You set my soul alight

#7 (**permalink**) 12-23-2006, 07:51 PM

> You're quite happy to have your 10 year old number to just expire?

No, I'm not happy about it, as I said, I'm "slightly annoyed at this"

> It can't have been at all valuable to you. Why not just take the new
> number?

What new number?

#8 (**permalink**) 12-23-2006, 07:55 PM

On 23 Dec 2006 12:51:48 -0800, "annoyed tuna"
<annoyedtuna@yahoo.co.uk> wrote:

>> You're quite happy to have your 10 year old number to just expire?
>
>No, I'm not happy about it, as I said, I'm "slightly annoyed at this"
>
>> It can't have been at all valuable to you. Why not just take the new
>> number?
>
>What new number?

I really don'e know luvvie, for someone that's seeking suggestions and
help you're not being very cooperative.

I honestly don't care what you do, but personally if a number meant so
much to me I wouldn't just say "Oh dear" and put up with their
decision.
--
-- Nick ICQ: 9235201 EMAIL & MSN: nickmooney@spamcop.net
-- LOTR#4 SKOGA#8 DS#7 BOTAFOT#159 BOTM#2 FBOTY#06 PM#11
-- Suzuki GSF600n - www.bgn.me.uk You set my soul alight

#9 (**permalink**) 12-23-2006, 08:05 PM

> I honestly don't care what you do, but personally if a number meant so
> much to me I wouldn't just say "Oh dear" and put up with their
> decision.

I'd be interested to hear exactly what you would do! It's not really
worth getting wound up about. It would have been nice if it hadn't have
been disconnected, but it has, and as far as I can tell there's nothing
I can do to change the situation. As someone hinted earlier, it
probably serves me right for not reading the terms & conditions
properly.

However, I would prefer it if this problem didn't happen again, so
that's why I'm asking if there are any PAYG tarrifs that don't
disconnect SIMs that haven't been used.

#10 (**permalink**) 12-23-2006, 10:34 PM

annoyed tuna wrote:
> I had my Orange phone number ported to a Vodafone pay as you go SIM.
>
> Today I switched the phone on and it said "SIM Card registration
> failed". I hadn't used the phone in some time so I assumed they had
> disconnected it again. I phoned up Vodafone to try and get it
> reconnected and they just said it couldn't be done. I should have made
> a call at least every 90 days to keep it connected.

According to their Terms & Conditions from June 2006, it's a chargeable
call or top-up within *180* days that's required:
<http://online.vodafone.co.uk/dispatch/Portal/appmanager/vodafone/wrp?_nfpb=true&_pageLabel=template12&pageID=PTC_00 06>
(under "Suspension"):

"We can suspend (i.e. bar) or terminate the provision of the Services
....if you choose not to use the Service for a period of 180 days (‘Use
of this service’ means (i) making any chargeable outbound calls
(excluding calls to 191, see your price plan for charges). (ii) any
topping up of your account)"

Alan

#11 (**permalink**) 12-24-2006, 12:02 AM

"annoyed tuna" <annoyedtuna@yahoo.co.uk> wrote in message
news:1166906563.192670.71830@80g2000cwy.googlegrou ps.com...
>
> Ivor Jones wrote:
>
>> > I should have made a call
>> > at least every 90 days to keep it connected.
>>
>> So why didn't you..?
>
> I wasn't aware the limit was so short. I've never had a PAYG phone
> before and was stupid enough not to read the Terms & Conditions.
>
> I only need the number when I work freelance and it's only for
> incoming calls, sometimes I go months without using it. Previously I
> had it as Line 2 on an Orange phone.
>
Vodafone cynically changed their T&Cs to only 90days on new tariffs
after the Allcall tariff which had 180 day unuse period.

Voda marketing realised there were buckets of dirty money to be made
out of low users who don't read their new T&Cs by stealing their credit
after 90days

I'm surprised the other networks haven't followed suit on this easy rip off
wheeze
AFAIK all others still offer 180 days or more.

I would go for Virgin or Orange, who both seem to offer a generous 180days +

O2 seem to offer 180days only
T Mobile i don't know

If you went for Virgin and added Direct Debit to it turning it into a zero
monthly billing contract, it will then not have a unuse period
and cost you nothing except any calls made.
Also it would give you full roaming should you use it abroad

Steve Terry

#12 (**permalink**) 12-24-2006, 06:14 AM

annoyed tuna wrote:
> I had my Orange phone number ported to a Vodafone pay as you go SIM.
>
> Today I switched the phone on and it said "SIM Card registration
> failed". I hadn't used the phone in some time so I assumed they had
> disconnected it again. I phoned up Vodafone to try and get it
> reconnected and they just said it couldn't be done. I should have made
> a call at least every 90 days to keep it connected.
>
> I'm slightly annoyed at this. I've lost the phone number that I've had
> for 10 years and all the credit that was on the phone.
>
> Is there a PAYG tariff available that will allow me to keep a number
> without using the phone very much?
>

Try ringing their special porting and migrations team on
08080 945945, it might be office hours only, but the people
in this department are shit hot when it comes to working
their way around vodafones systems and getting old numbers
reconnected, and they're especially handy with payt.

HTH

--
(\__/) Charlie Mitchell.
(='.'=) Smooth Christmas Radio NOW ONLINE!
(")_(") Tune in FREE at http://www.SmoothChristmasRadio.com

#13 (**permalink**) 12-24-2006, 07:46 AM

On 23 Dec 2006 13:05:25 -0800, "annoyed tuna"
<annoyedtuna@yahoo.co.uk> wrote:

>> I honestly don't care what you do, but personally if a number meant so
>> much to me I wouldn't just say "Oh dear" and put up with their
>> decision.
>
>I'd be interested to hear exactly what you would do! It's not really
>worth getting wound up about. It would have been nice if it hadn't have
>been disconnected, but it has, and as far as I can tell there's nothing
>I can do to change the situation. As someone hinted earlier, it
>probably serves me right for not reading the terms & conditions
>properly.

So you're not going to bother writing in to complain and defend YOUR
number?

>However, I would prefer it if this problem didn't happen again, so
>that's why I'm asking if there are any PAYG tarrifs that don't
>disconnect SIMs that haven't been used.

None?
--
-- Nick ICQ: 9235201 EMAIL & MSN: nickmooney@spamcop.net
-- LOTR#4 SKOGA#8 DS#7 BOTAFOT#159 BOTM#2 FBOTY#06 PM#11
-- Suzuki GSF600n - www.bgn.me.uk You set my soul alight

#14 (**permalink**) 12-24-2006, 10:30 AM

"Steve Terry" <g4wwk@tesco.net> wrote in message
news:Jkkjh.17872$KT2.16741@newsfe2-win.ntli.net...
> >> > I should have made a call
> >> > at least every 90 days to keep it connected.
> >>
> >> So why didn't you..?
> >
> > I wasn't aware the limit was so short. I've never had a PAYG phone
> > before and was stupid enough not to read the Terms & Conditions.
> >
> > I only need the number when I work freelance and it's only for
> > incoming calls, sometimes I go months without using it. Previously I
> > had it as Line 2 on an Orange phone.
> >
> Vodafone cynically changed their T&Cs to only 90days on new tariffs
> after the Allcall tariff which had 180 day unuse period.
>
> Voda marketing realised there were buckets of dirty money to be made
> out of low users who don't read their new T&Cs by stealing their credit
> after 90days

I've heard this before, but their T&C's are quite clear - the cut off is 180 days:

http://online.vodafone.co.uk/dispatc...fpb=true&_page
Label=template12&pageID=PTC_0006

--
Andy

#15 (**permalink**) 12-24-2006, 12:09 PM

Steve Terry wrote:
> Vodafone cynically changed their T&Cs to only 90days on new tariffs
> after the Allcall tariff which had 180 day unuse period.
>
> Voda marketing realised there were buckets of dirty money to be made
> out of low users who don't read their new T&Cs by stealing their credit
> after 90days
>
> I'm surprised the other networks haven't followed suit on this easy rip off
> wheeze

I see someone queries the 90 days below, and I don't know, but all of
this is rather different than in Germany, where after a couple of court
decisions, SIM validity conditions have changed, some by even more than
the verdict.

Credit does not now expire, and people can apply to have it refunded if
they leave. When I read this, I emailed Vodafone Germany about my SIM,
which I missed renewing (with a UK voucher) by about 3 days in
September, and they reconnected it a few days ago.

So the information is available somewhere in the archive for a few
months, and even though terms and conditions are not the same here, I
reckon the OP should try again.

I've also had two other foreign country SIMs reconnected by calling
them up a couple of months later, then top-up when I got there, from
zero balance though

#16 (**permalink**) 12-24-2006, 05:48 PM

"Andy Pandy" <spam8times@wonderful.spam.invalid> wrote in message
news:4v76miF1b5tfaU1@mid.individual.net...
> "Steve Terry" <g4wwk@tesco.net> wrote in message
> news:Jkkjh.17872$KT2.16741@newsfe2-win.ntli.net...
<snip>
>> Voda marketing realised there were buckets of dirty money to be made
>> out of low users who don't read their new T&Cs by stealing their credit
>> after 90days
>
> I've heard this before, but their T&C's are quite clear - the cut off is
> 180 days:
>
> http://online.vodafone.co.uk/dispatc...fpb=true&_page
> Label=template12&pageID=PTC_0006
>
>
For which PAYT tariffs?
I clearly remember when Allcalls was replaced, T&Cs on then new PAYT tariffs
became 90days

Which is enforced, i lost credit on my PAYT after about 4 months unuse

Last time i have a Voda PAYT

Steve Terry

#17 (**permalink**) 12-24-2006, 05:52 PM

"andy" <andy.ggrps@googlemail.com> wrote in message
news:1166965789.479078.300910@f1g2000cwa.googlegro ups.com...
>
> Steve Terry wrote:
>> Vodafone cynically changed their T&Cs to only 90days on new tariffs
>> after the Allcall tariff which had 180 day unuse period.
>>
>> Voda marketing realised there were buckets of dirty money to be made
>> out of low users who don't read their new T&Cs by stealing their credit
>> after 90days
>> I'm surprised the other networks haven't followed suit on this easy rip
>> off
>> wheeze
>
> I see someone queries the 90 days below, and I don't know, but all of
> this is rather different than in Germany, where after a couple of court
> decisions, SIM validity conditions have changed, some by even more
> than the verdict.
>
But Gerrmany is a democratic civilized country, unlike what we now have

Steve Terry

#18 (**permalink**) 12-24-2006, 07:59 PM

Steve Terry wrote:
> "Andy Pandy" <spam8times@wonderful.spam.invalid> wrote in message
> news:4v76miF1b5tfaU1@mid.individual.net...
>> "Steve Terry" <g4wwk@tesco.net> wrote in message
>> news:Jkkjh.17872$KT2.16741@newsfe2-win.ntli.net...
> <snip>
>>> Voda marketing realised there were buckets of dirty money to be made
>>> out of low users who don't read their new T&Cs by stealing their credit
>>> after 90days
>> I've heard this before, but their T&C's are quite clear - the cut off is
>> 180 days:
>>
>> http://online.vodafone.co.uk/dispatc...fpb=true&_page
>> Label=template12&pageID=PTC_0006
>>
>>
> For which PAYT tariffs?
> I clearly remember when Allcalls was replaced, T&Cs on then new PAYT tariffs
> became 90days
>
> Which is enforced, i lost credit on my PAYT after about 4 months unuse
>
> Last time i have a Voda PAYT
>
> Steve Terry
>
>
My problem is with the SIM going into quarantine after the 90 days. Even
though you have credit they refuse to do anything unless you give them
more!

--
Dave C

#19 (**permalink**) 12-26-2006, 11:56 AM

"Steve Terry" <g4wwk@tesco.net> wrote in message
news:nYzjh.23349$HV6.11280@newsfe1-gui.ntli.net...
> "Andy Pandy" <spam8times@wonderful.spam.invalid> wrote in message
> news:4v76miF1b5tfaU1@mid.individual.net...
> > "Steve Terry" <g4wwk@tesco.net> wrote in message
> > news:Jkkjh.17872$KT2.16741@newsfe2-win.ntli.net...
> <snip>
> >> Voda marketing realised there were buckets of dirty money to be made
> >> out of low users who don't read their new T&Cs by stealing their credit
> >> after 90days
> >
> > I've heard this before, but their T&C's are quite clear - the cut off is
> > 180 days:
> >
> >
http://online.vodafone.co.uk/dispatc...fpb=true&_page
> > Label=template12&pageID=PTC_0006
> >
> >
> For which PAYT tariffs?

All of them, by the looks of it. The T&C's even mention "Original".

> I clearly remember when Allcalls was replaced, T&Cs on then new PAYT tariffs
> became 90days
>
> Which is enforced, i lost credit on my PAYT after about 4 months unuse
>
> Last time i have a Voda PAYT

Maybe they reduced it to 90 days, then increased it back to 180 after complaints?
Under their current published T&C's I can't see how they could cut you off after 90
days.

Question for OP - how long did you go without making a call, was it 6 months+ ? If it
was less you could ask Vodafone to read their own T&C's.

--
Andy

#20 (**permalink**) 01-08-2007, 11:43 AM

In article <1166907925.403617.236000@79g2000cws.googlegroups. com>,
annoyed tuna <annoyedtuna@yahoo.co.uk> wrote:

> However, I would prefer it if this problem didn't happen again, so
> that's why I'm asking if there are any PAYG tarrifs that don't
> disconnect SIMs that haven't been used.

What's so hard about making a 10 second call once every couple of
weeks? You need to check your phone is still charged anyway.

Like you I rarely use mine. I have a diary entry on my computer that
reminds me to check the phone every two weeks. I know that the minimum
use period is much longer than that, but I need to check the phone is
charged anyway - & who knows - I might have been sent a text message...

--
Jeremy C B Nicoll, Edinburgh, Scotland - my opinions are my own.