Hi CatherineI definitely can't answer all of your questions, but I'll have a stab at some things you ask.
When you took out your contract with Orange, you should have been given a copy of the terms of agreement, on which, the length of your contract and possibly any clauses would have been listed. If you no longer have this agreement, you would have to ask them over the phone I should think, as I can't imagine it being on your bill. Having said that, I don't know as I've never had a contract mobile phone. And if you try to opt out of your existing contract early, you may have to pay the difference that is outstanding until the contract ends, again, rather like broadband providers. You would need to check this with Orange as I don't know where you would stand.
You can certainly take your existing mobile number with you to another network or contract with the same network. You have to ask them for a PAC code, just the same as you ask for a MAC code when you switch broadband providers. It may take a few days for everything to be transferred to your new network, but you can definitely do it.
As regards accessibility, I know T-Mobile is very good at providing information in alternative formats, and that Vodafone will if you specifically ask. I've never done it personally, but I know of friends who have, and found it satisfactory to get a Braille manual or bills in large print or Braille, for example.
As for phones themselves, the N82, N95 and some others are good handsets and should be offered to you under a good contract deal if you shop around. If you have TALKS already, you would need to pay £50 to get an upgrade for a new phone which, in my personal opinion, is money so well worth spending. I would imagine that you could use your phone as a modem as well.
Remember though that if you switch to another network on contract or Pay-As-You-Go, and you use your existing SIM card, you would need to make sure that the new phone is unlocked if the network is different to Orange.
I'm sure others will chip in with plenty of advice, but these are my initial thoughts in response to your message.
Good luck. Jackie Email: cairnsplace@xxxxxxx Skype Name: Cairnsplace----- Original Message ----- From: "Catherine Turner" <catherineturner2007@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: "Access-UK" <access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> Sent: Friday, April 25, 2008 5:25 PM Subject: [access-uk] Choosing/switching mobile phone/providers questions
Hi, From a little research I've done plus my gut reaction to my bank balance, I've decided I'm getting a raw deal from Orange, my current mobile phone provider. If possible I want to switch to another provider and have some questions. 1. Could I leave before my contract's up? How do I even find out when my contract is up? Would it be written on my bill? I've forgotten my password for the Orange website and their way of retrieving/resetting it involves phoning them which I prefer not to do - so if it'd be writtten on my bill I'd rather just scan that next time it comes. 2. What happens, if/when you switch providers, about keeping the same phone number? 3. Has anyone got any comments accessibilitywise about particular providers? Or phones for that matter. I'm happy with my Nokia 6630 with Talks and a hefty crack in the screen, but if switching means I get a new phone which I can instal Talks, MobileSpeak or SmartHal onto I'll do it. On the other hand is it possible to sign up for a new contract and use my existing phone? I think they usually give you a phone as part of the contract but would I be able to swap the sim over and use it in my old phone? If this is possible I may do it to save money. 4. Has anyone any recommendations for websites that compare different packages/tariffs? I had a quick look on moneysupermarket.com and found the phone comparison tool's search results a bit hard to understand, though I've used it before for credit cards. 5. I do want to be able to use whatever phone it is as a modem for my BrailleNote. If anyone has any comments about particular providers' GPRS services, good or bad, I'd like to hear them. I think some have had difficulty obtaining the right information/settings from them... And anything else you think will help! There seems to be so much choice nowadays about different types of payment - pay as you go, contract and some things which seem in between; and I'm not bothered about tons of features on the phone - I just want to save money on a monthly basis though I might have to spend some first to buy a new copy of Talks or whatever. I've been with Orange for the last 10 years and haven't thought it worthwhile switching before but I'm sure I could save money if I do. Thanks, Catherine ** To leave the list, click on the immediately-following link:- ** [mailto:access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx?subject=unsubscribe] ** If this link doesn't work then send a message to: ** access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx ** and in the Subject line type ** unsubscribe ** For other list commands such as vacation mode, click on the ** immediately-following link:- ** [mailto:access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx?subject=faq] ** or send a message, to ** access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with the Subject:- faq
** To leave the list, click on the immediately-following link:- ** [mailto:access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx?subject=unsubscribe] ** If this link doesn't work then send a message to: ** access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx ** and in the Subject line type ** unsubscribe ** For other list commands such as vacation mode, click on the ** immediately-following link:- ** [mailto:access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx?subject=faq] ** or send a message, to ** access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with the Subject:- faq
