O2 Mobile

VMO2

The University of Cambridge's new mobile phone contract is on the O2 network, provided by Virgin Media O2 UK.

The UIS Telecoms Office's O2 contract offering is the best option for all University institutions when it comes to procuring their mobile phone services. All University departments, colleges & allied institutions are able to make use of this contract.

We have a range of tariffs to suit all users, offering you the best possible value from your mobile phones.

The low cost tariffs make it cheaper than getting an equivalent phone from a high street mobile phone retailer. For departments, all bills are invoiced direct via CUFS journals, so there is no handling of various mobile invoices every month. A full breakdown of all charges are available via the Admin.phone system.

With almost 3,500 mobiles under contract with O2, the University gets a much better service than if you just buy a contract off the high street.

Quick Jump

Lost or Stolen Mobiles|Mobile Phone Numbers| Dialling 1xx Numbers
Handset Pricing - The Free Phone Myth| Unlocking Phones|SMS Delivery Notification
MMS|Device Support|Mobile Phone Repairs

All University mobile contracts are on rolling 30-day contracts, meaning they can be terminated at any time with just 30 days' notice.

Lost or Stolen Mobiles

If a user loses their mobile, they should immediately contact their Telecoms Liaison Officer, who should notify the Telecoms Helpdesk about the loss. The handset will then be barred to ensure it cannot be used by anyone not authorised to do so.

Mobile Phone Numbers

If a new mobile number is required, this will be allocated by O2 upon processing the order.
The mobile contract no longer includes the mobex short-dial facility we previously had. This is because the mobex feature is not compatible with more modern features such as WiFi and 4G Calling which, it was decided, is more important than the mobex facility.

Dialling 1xx Numbers

To dial numbers beginning with a "1" (e.g. 101 for non-emergency police, 1188448 for Directory Enquiries) you have to prefix the number with "9", e.g. 9101, 9118848.

The exceptions to this, which can be dialled without a leading 9, are:

  • 112 - Emergency Services
  • 141 - Withhold CLI
  • 1470 - Reveal CLI

Handset Pricing - "The Free Phone Myth"

Many people are surprised to see that handsets appear to cost substantially more under the University's contract than they pay on the high street. This is usually because a consumer mobile contract costs more on a monthly basis, and it is this extra cost that pays for the handset.

As a comparison, an Apple iPhone 11 - 64GB, on a consumer O2 tariff can be had for £50.00 upfront, if you sign up for a £48.42 tariff for 24 months. This tariff gives you 1GB data, unlimited texts and unlimited minutes. Total cost: £ 1212.08

The same iPhone under the University contract costs £607.50 + VAT. A tariff including 1GB data with unlimited minutes and ttexts costs £6.00 + VAT per month. Over 24 months this totals £144 + VAT. So, the total cost is £751.50 + VAT, giving a grand total of £901.80.

So over two years, you would actually save £310.28 simply by being on the University contract rather than a high street option. Plus you get free unlocking of the device at any time during the contract*, free tethering, free advanced replacement in the event of failure and the support of the Telecoms Helpdesk. Departments also gain by not having to process the O2 invoice; payment is direct from your CUFS account.

So, just how much cheaper is that iPhone on the high street?

Prices correct as of 17/04/2020

Unlocking Phones

With our O2 contract, the vast majority of handsets will be provided unlocked and able to accept any carrier's SIM card.

Any handsets which are not pre-unlocked, can be unlocked free of charge at any time within the contract.

There is a large caveat with Apple iPhones though: Apple disallow the the unlocking of new iPhone models for anywhere between six and nine months after launch. There is nothing that the University or O2 can do to get around this. If you may require a new model Apple device to be carrier unlocked shortly after its launch, you should purchase the device direct from Apple instead.

SMS Delivery Notification

O2 does not support the standard, in built, SMS Delivery Notification. To get notification of SMS delivery, you have to prefix the message (not the number) with "*0#"

MMS

MMS is disabled by default on all mobiles. This can be enabled by contacting the Telecoms Helpdesk.

Device Support

Mobile phones are getting more powerful, and the software on them more complex. The availability of user install-able apps just makes this complexity worse. The Telecoms Helpdesk will do our best to ensure your device works on the O2 network so you can:

  • Make & receive calls
  • Send & receive text & MMS messages
  • Browse the web

All of these are dependent on the device supporting the feature and the connection having the correct tariff. Anything beyond these features is outside our skill set. Local IT staff are often able to provide some help with smart phones - but check with them BEFORE you purchase anything, that they are able and willing to help!

Mobile phone repairs

O2 do not offer a phone repair service. UIS do not repair phones either. There are many local companies that offer to repair phones, but we have received mixed reports about the quality of the work and so do not feel we can recommend any company.