3g Plan ending

[nmh42]

My partner and I both have letters stating that out 3G (Orange) plan will come to an end in Jan 23. It also says that if we do nothing they will automatically change our plan in November 22. On the website it says if we do nothing we will only lose data connection. These things taken together do not make sense, does anyone know what will actually happen? Also assuming we change (or EE change automatically) our plan do we then lose free roaming?

[XRaySpeX]

You will lose inclusive roaming.

[nmh42]

Thanks for the rapid reply, the letter says do nothing = automatic change of plan, the website ee.co.uk/3gplans says do nothing = lose data connection. Any idea which is true??

[EssexBoyEE]

The reason the 2 statements conflict with each other is dependent on what Phones you currently have.

If you do nothing, your Plan gets updated from your Old Orange Plan (2G and 3G) to a New EE Plan (2G, 3G, 4G and probably 5G) but remember 3G is being switched off, so the 3G element will no longer work after switch off.

So after your Plan Upgrades to EE, the second parts depends on the Phone you have, if you have a newer 4G or 5G then you dont need to do anything as your Plan and Phone will work as per normal on the now EE Network using either 2G or 4/5G for Calls and Texts and your Data Connection will work on the 4/5G Network.

However if you dont have a newer 4G Phone but only have a older 3G Phone (it will actually be a 2G + 3G) your new EE Plan and your old 3G Phone will still be able to make Calls and Texts using the 2G Network, but will not be able to use a Data Connection on the 3G Network, as its switched off and will not be able to use the 4/5G Network for Data as the Phone is not compatible, hence EE's wording of Lose Data Connection.

[nmh42]

Many thanks for the detailed reply........does this process involve a new SIM? If so how does it arrive? Post? Collection at store ....?
best regards Neil

[EssexBoyEE · Accepted solution]

New Sims are normally Posted out to your Account Address, unless you Upgrade in a EE Store.

You may want to give Customer Services a Call rather than just waiting for EE to Change your Plan over, you may find you could negotiate a better deal or see if any deals under the table so to speak can be offered to you and your Wife as long term standing Customers.

[nmh42]

Thanks for the quick reply, just to be clear it sounds like we will need new SIMs is that correct?

[Chris_B]

@nmh42   more than likely yes.  What phones do you have  ?  

[EssexBoyEE]

Im guessing here, but I assume that you dont not have the original Orange branded Sim, that your Sim says EE as it was upgraded a few years back when EE moved you off Orange and put you on a specific EE 3G Only Plan, so you may not necessary need new Sims, personally I would go with new Sims even if not offered as they can physically degrade over a long period and Sim Technology changes over time.

[XRaySpeX]

I presume the OP is on an EE 3G plan, the move from Orange being forced a coupla years ago.