3G network mobile phone question

[imonthefone]

hello-need a quick answer to mobile phone problem please

My phone isnt working. I have insurance and it should be replaced but will take approximately 3 weeks

I was going to buy a cheap phone for a tenner and use my sim in that until new one arrives; BUT because I am on 3G contract/network, I need a 3G enabled phone apparently and the cheapest is £60

went to a few different phone shops and all said the same

I dont understand-what is different about 3G? and is there any way round this? I cant afford £60

What network are you with at present, OP ?
Saw the one on Ebay at 70 quid, but there may well be cheaper options...

"i have that phone in the house" - yes, but that's essentially usable on 4+ networks, so if it was locked to (say) Orange, you'd still be stuck and putting the SIM in would just give you an error message / prompt you for an unlock code (and after a few goes, could stop the phone working).

If you are using Three, then yes, they sell suitable phones (and a Galaxy Europa might be as low as 50 quid from them, 75+ with some other networks) but you may also be able to get either a new unlocked phone (explain what you want it for and why) at CPW or Phones4U.

Or, if you want to be cheeky, ask in CPW and Phones4U to identify suitable 'budget' phones (after all, it is going to be your backup so I'd expect a 50 quid [or half!] limit if it won't be in day-to-day use) and then visit CashConverter and CachGenerator and CEX and any other small 'we unlock phones' shops near you. Sometimes it's possible to get a suitable model unlocked for 5/6 quid and then your SIM would work, or buy an unlocked phone off the shelf, be sure to confirm it is 3G (or see *> GSM Arena.com

Flowe - someone at the network might be able to divert, but listening to voicemail could be costly and then there are still the unread text messages.

OP to check your voicemail you could try an Asda PAYG SIM (10p/min to call a mobile) and interrogate your messages that way if you had a PIN set up and know the number (probably available on 'help' pages from the network's web site). Asda SIM will work in a Vodafone, and it could be worth a fiver (you get the SIM pack and ask for a 5 pound top-up voucher at till, so SIM pack is free) just to be able to cheaply hear those messages and have a temp phone, cos unless you buy in a shop nearby, you could be waiting until Mon/Tues for something bought on Ebay to arrive, and some networks wipe old texts and voicemail after just a few days.

Of course, cheaper still is to ask a friend with a contract phone if you can call your own network to hear your messages...

thanks for all your inputs...must admit to being a bit baffled....but luckily found the old mobile phone in the depths of a toy box...in a bag....in a box...in another bag!

So I have all my contacts and am able to call/text etc...but cant access messages which were sent whilst phone was not in use...and also I have transfered the tiny memory card whatsit...but the photos dont seem to be on it...is that to be expected? Are photos saved to phone?

It's not uncommon for a phone to store to internal memory by default (as that way you don't need to install a memory card) but the camera settings often allow for the default to be changed.

If you still have the 'dead' phone it might be worth checking with a local mobile repair shop, to see if they can extract the photos and any contacts (it's common with many phones these days to store to phone by default [and allows more info to be saved per person, so some address books have space for home number, mobile number, work number, e-mail address, and even birthday, where the SIM normally stores just one number per name, and the name may have a limited number of characters], so you may have the original contacts you saved on the SIM but perhaps not more recent numbers - unless you deliberately saved them to SIM as well/ instead of phone memory).

SIM storage is a tiny bit slower to access so when you put a previously unseen SIM into a phone, some ask if all contacts should be copied from SIM to the phone (and then additions/ changes take place on those stored in the phone).

Glad you found your backup!

You can Buy A used Mobile as well!!

You can buy a used one and after getting your mobile phone back you can resell it!