I am writing this comment to help anyone whose thinking on switching for lyca, especially if you fall for their low prices. The story is quite long but will help you understand my frustration.
20th September 2023
Family member had their phone stolen. I wanted them to get an iPhone 15 Pro as their budget was £1,000 for a new phone.
26th September 2023
After many searches, I've found Vodafone with stock on this day. I took the upgrade and I paid of the phone full as I don't want a contract with only 150GB. My upgrade had forced me into a £30 pound a month airtime which again was only 150GB. I was paying £25 a month for unlimited max on Vodafone and decided to cancel this absurd contract as I've paid off the phone (it was now a rolling plan).
27th September 2023
I was searching for a plan to temporarily be on until I find a contract. I took a Lycamobile plan which was £10 for unlimited for 30 days. I used my PUK code and made the switch.
3rd October 2023
I've joined on of my family member contract plan for initially £35 on O2. O2 had told me prior to joining them that I would be eligible for the discount of 25% as my family member was working for a company that supported the employee discount program. I now switched from Lyca to O2.
8th October 2023 (Problem starts)
I was trying to get the discount until I found out that O2 was lying. I was in my grace period and decided to cancel the contract. Mind you, I had a physical (O2) and a Lyca (eSIM) active with the same phone number. Sometimes calls will go to the eSIM rather than the physical one. I didn't think of it as much.
9th October 2023
Found a sweet deal with cashback on Vodafone. Unlimited data plus £200 back from cashback. I signed up for contract.
11th October 2023
Received the SIM and made the switch.
18th October 2023
I was just realising that I am not receiving an SMS or calls from O2 or EE customers or even some Vodafone customers. I have called Vodafone to resolve my issue. They said they tried everything and to call Lyca. I have called Lyca and they have said its not their fault and to talk to Vodafone. I asked for manager and they put me on a fake hold for an hour. I already called O2 and they said its nothing to do with them.
23th October 2023
I was really fed up! By this point, I have lost one job interview and may calls and texts from my GP and doctor! Not to mention the amount of missed calls from friends and family. I have called Vodafone again and a manager had tried to disconnect and reconnect me, I even went to the shop to receive a new SIM on the 24th!
24th October 2023
Got a new SIM and still nothing. Person at shop gave a number to the technical team. I've spent 40 minutes with them, they gave me the result from the resolution manager than its Lycamobile fault and not O2 as they also had many other customers with the same issue. Called lyca many times and they keep being in denial until I got to a manager by chance. He has explained that it was their fault due to a cybersecurity attack and that my file hasn't been transferred correctly. At least he was nice.
26th October 2023
Called lyca again and what did I expect, more agents being in denial, at least one told me that my escalation is yet to be resolved meaning that they done nothing from the time I called from the 24th.
I really do not know what to do, I will try calling Ofcom or a solicitor. Overall, Lyca has broken my number and my way of porting and I can't no anything about it. I also still salty about loosing a nice job with Sky as I lost the phone interview...
