Basic questions re getting started with tablet and pay as you go phone packs

[Caz]

Hello
Pardon me for basic questions but I'm not as young as you

My tablet Galaxy Tab S 8.4, will allow phone calls to be made from it ( with a phone sim installed, I believe )

EE covers where I want to use it, which will be infrequently, so I'm going for a Pay as you go Everything ( Mins, txts and data ) pack.
I will top up via top Up card.

I don't know what happens when i start, i.e, I put the sim card in the tablet slot, what happens then re activation etc.?
The EE video says " when you top up ....." and then goes on from there. It doesn't really tell me how i get started.

TIA

 

[Orcvader]

All you do is put the SIM into the tablet, top up, and you're ready to go. EE will then pick up the device and will send the tablet details on connecting to the mobile internet, which it will set up automatically.

I suppose the next question however, if EE will allow the SIM to function in the tablet. Although it works as a phone, EE may block the data as it's a tablet.

 

[Caz]

Orcvader thanks for prompt reply.
two things- " All you do is put the SIM into the tablet, top up, and you're ready to go" Sounds silly, but what does top up involve me doing? I will have already paid the £10 or so to get the sim and top up?

Re whether EE will allow the sim to be used on a tablet, I can't see their objection ( doesn't mean they won't mind ) because what does it matter to them what device it is in - smartphone or tablet. They are still getting business they wouldn't otherwise have.

But I do value you mentioning it because it is something I had in the back of my mind. Your input reminds me to make sure I check with them beforehand.

What would help is someone replying who is actually using EEs sim in their tablet and using as a phone. If so, what sim and what plan?

Anyone please?

 

[Orcvader]

If you already paid £10 then you should already have £10 credit - you can skip the top up part then.

I'm not sure with EE but I do know some networks blocks their SIMs with phone plans working in a tablet, under the assumption that it will be more data heavy.

 

[Caz]

I'm not sure with EE but I do know some networks blocks their SIMs with phone plans working in a tablet, under the assumption that it will be more data heavy.

Seems you are right orcvader!. What a palaver!

I go into my local EE shop to clarify this. And i was told that if I have a tablet that can make phone calls, I can only make calls on a pay as u go sim if I have an ordinary standard rate sim ( which makes the use of data use on the tablet prohibitively expensive ).

I had asked about their Everything packs which give xxxmb; xxxmins and xxx texts for £10 per month. Obviously those packs' sims work in phones, but if put in a tablet, the mins and texts part won't work.
because it's in a tablet!
WTF. What does it matter to EE what device it's in? One presumes they want to sell their packs. One presumes they want to sell tablets?

What brain came up with this as a policy?

Before wondering why this is an big inconvenience to me, perhaps i should explain.
I already have an O2 phone which i don't use a lot. ( I'm old -lol)
But it doesn't have cover at a certain country area ,a situation that i have put up with as no big deal.
However, I need an android device ( phone or tablet ) with a decent screen in order to use a "fishing" app ( a scanner which sends bluetooth pictures to the device )
So, I found a tablet which can make phone calls, Galaxy TabS, and this would be ideal for the app and I know i would use it for internet browsing whilst fishing etc.
By putting a EE sim in it I could get cover at the fishing venue as a bonus.

But seems that now can't happen.

What was suggested by the EE assistant was to get the tablet and buy the Pack. I could use the data part of the package. Then, if I "topped" up with say £5, then i could make phone calls from the £5 part
Comment, anyone?

EE Policy, as far as I'm concerned, is pushing me towards buying a smartphone instead. Not what I really wanted.
If it meant them losing out to have such a policy, I could understand it, but what difference to them is it if their Packs are used on one device instead of another ?( phone or tablet)

 

[Richy888]

If you buy an android phone then you could tether the tablet to the phone (via wifi) to use data on your tablet for browsing etc. You of course have the phone for calls. Not ideal as you were hoping to use just the tablet. This means one sim plan only would be required. I think you can use all your data allowance tethering with EE unlike Three which restrict the amount you can use.

Just a thought ....