A MOBILE provider with millions of customers is to axe a key service this month.
Customers will need to find an alternative solution when the mobile service is switched off for good at the end of January.
O2 announced it would shut down its pay-as-you-go data and iPad SIM services on January 31, 2025 in an email to customers.
The service allowed subscribers to use mobile data to access internet services on their iPads.
While many would connect their tablets using WiFi, the sims allow you to roam while you’re out and about without access to broadband.
In its email to customers, O2 said: “We’re sorry to let you know that we’re removing our Pay As You Go Mobile Broadband & iPad services from our portfolio on January 31, 2025.
“Our customer account management portal will be closing on December 17, 2024.
“You can continue to use your service until January 31, 2025, after which time your service shall cease.”
O2 had stopped selling new SIMS to customers in August, but it is still thought thousands of customers could be impacted by the service ending.
News of the shutdown was particularly gutting for those who had taken out long-term plans including the £30 for 12GB deal.
Other deals were aimed at those who needed short-term access, for example, customers could get 1GB for £3, but it had to be used within 24 hours.
Customers will need to use any outstanding data before the January 31 deadline or they will lose it or have to seek a refund.
An O2 spokesperson said: “On January 31, we are removing our PAYG Mobile Broadband and iPad services, which have not been available for new customers since August.
“We have recently written to the small proportion of customers who will be impacted by this change and they can contact us directly should they require any further information or support.”
To obtain a refund for any data not used on your account, you’ll need to call O2 customer services on 0344 809 0222 to provide your contact details so it can process your refund request.
Customers who wish to stay with the O2 network for their data services must now switch to pay monthly contracted data SIMs.
This requires choosing between a 30-day rolling contract, a 12-month deal, or a 24-month agreement.
For those who frequently use their pay-as-you-go data SIMs, these contracts could offer cost savings.
But, those with lower monthly data usage might find themselves out of pocket.
The 30-day rolling contracts offer the greatest flexibility, allowing customers to cancel with just 30 days’ notice.
However, this flexibility comes at a higher cost. For instance, 1GB of data per month costs £20, while 50GB per month costs £30.
Alternatively, customers who have regular monthly data usage can opt for a 24-month contract, which offers 30GB for just £14.99 per month.
However, if you end this contract early you could be left with a hefty bill.
You will have to pay an early termination fee, which means covering the remaining cost of the contract.
Customers could also choose to purchase a regular SIM card that includes calls, texts, and data, and use it in their tablets.
For example, O2 offers a preloaded pay-as-you-go SIM with 250GB of data for just £30 per moth.
If you're looking for an alternative to O2's pay as you go mobile broadband and iPad services there are other options available
Lebara, which runs off the Vodafone network, offers a preloaded 30-day unlimited data SIM for just £12.50, on the first purchase.
Asda Mobile, which also runs off the Vodafone network offers a £5 pay-as-you-go SIM preloaded with 3GB of data.
GiffGaff, another network which runs off the O2 network, also offers a £10 pay-as-you-go SIM preloaded with 15GB of data.
To find the best offers, visit comparison websites, including uswitch.com or moneysavingexpert.com/cheap-mobile-finder/sim-only/.
These websites typically offer lower introductory rates compared to those available directly from providers.
You can also purchase preloaded data SIMs from Amazon.co.uk.
For example, customers can get a Three SIM preloaded with 80GB of data each month until 8th August 2025, for just £39.99.
O2 issued another major update recently issuing a new alert that customers need to look for.
The mobile network has started scanning phone numbers for potential scam calls using AI in a bid to protect users from bank raiding attacks.
The feature will popup on screens automatically when a potentially dodgy call is detected.
Meanwhile the mobile provider’s customers were left fuming in 2024 when it scrapped weekly Greggs freebies.
There will be more telecoms changes in 2025.
Plusnet, part of the BT Group, permanently closed its mobile arm in June 2024 and is in the process of axing its landline services for good.
This means that customers who still want a landline phone service in the future will be forced to move to a different telephone company that offers a digital service.
It comes as all copper-based phone lines will be switched off by the end of December 2025.
NOT happy with your current mobile phone deal?
If you’re outside the minimum term of your contract then you won’t need to pay a cancellation fee – and you might be able to find a cheaper deal elsewhere.
But don’t just switch contracts because the price is cheaper than what you’re currently paying.
Take a look at how many minutes and texts, as well as how much data you’re using, to find out which deal is best for you.
For example, if you’re a heavy internet user it’s worth finding a deal that accommodates this so you don’t end up spending extra on bundles or add-ons each month.
Also note that if you’re still in your contract period, you might be charged an exit fee.
Ready to look elsewhere? Pay-as-you-go deals are better for people who don’t regularly use their phone, while monthly contracts usually work out cheaper for those who do.
It’s worth using comparison websites, such as MoneySupermarket and uSwitch.com, to compare tariffs and phone prices.
Billmonitor also matches buyers to the best pay-monthly deal based on their previous three months of bills.
It only works if you’re a customer of EE, O2, Three, Vodafone or Tesco Mobile and you’ll need to log in with your online account details.
There’s also MobilePhoneChecker, which has a bill monitoring feature that recommends a tariff based on your monthly usage.
If you’re happy with your provider then it might be worth using your research to haggle a better deal.
Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing money-sm@news.co.uk.
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