Free Sim Cards Question

[Snapdragon]

Please excuse what will probably seem a dumb question to all those regularly using the free sim cards, but I can't see anywhere that explains what's free?:confused:

I've looked at the sticky at the top of the freebies board, but this merely lists lots of links, mostly to free orange sims. These all seem to mention having to top-up with £10 a month in order to get some free texts.

Unless there is actually some call credit included on the free sim, (which I don't see mentioned anywhere!), I can't understand why people would be applying for so many?

Would someone be kind enough to explain to this newbie, what you are getting for free and what you do with all these sim cards?

I have two kids (early teens) and gave both mobiles, to-keep-in-touch. We're not big users but would I be able to use any of these offers?

Thanks

[Gem+Dave+Kaci]

Not sure about the other sims but the o2 sims come with £2.50 credit, and all you need to do it register via. the 02 website, and then wait a couple of days to get your free credit - there's no need to top up with £10.

HTH! :)

(Make sure you press the invisible 'thanks' button if this has helped you... ;) )

[*!*HIBS*!*]

The reason why you won't find the answers regarding the free credit etc in the free sim card sticky is because it gets cleaned up so that only the offers are shown. This is to reduce the number of pages in the thread so that people can just click on the offer they want rather than trawling through all the pages of info and offers.

Answering your original question, some of the recent Virgin ones came with £5 already on the card so people could use the £5 credit up and then throw them away if they wanted to.

The reason why some people order lots of these free sim cards is not only to pass onto friends/family, or to use them to get free ringtones/screensavers, enter competitions etc... is because they can sell them as it will be cheaper for buyers to buy from the individuals rather than from the shops. Also sometimes some independent shops will offer to buy the free sim cards and then sell them in their shops.

In order to swap sims in the phones to use these free sims, the phones would need to be unlocked (i.e. not locked to a certain network), although I have tried using a Virgin sim in a locked T-mobile phone and it worked (because Virgin uses the T-mobile network). :)

[utilitybroker]

The same sims that are FREE online, are sold at various prices by retailers in their shops including all the main networks retail chains.So its fair to describe them as free.

Some as has already been pointed out come with some free credit also.

People acquire them to resell,put in a spare phone for the kids,or to use up the free credit.Some also hope they might get lucky and get a golden number which they can sell on e-bay.

[Rat Chick]

You can also sell them on Ebay. Certain mobile phone companys (O2, T-mobile) print the mobile number on the sim packet, if you have a "Gold Number" they can go for £2 to £100+. Gold numbers are anything from "007" to consecutive numbers "1234567"

I didn't know about gold numbers until I checked out another forum, which seems to be full of very helpful teenagers ;) I got offered around £5 for a 007 number via pm but was told by someone else I could earn £15 on ebay!

Gold numbers are similar to personalised numbers plates, ie they mean something to the user but most of the time they mean burger all to the rest of us :D

[Little John]

Another use for them is to get a rapidshare premium account for 3 days you can call a number get charged £2.50 I think and it is charged to the phone so you get it for free as you avnt paid anything. its similar to the gree games and ringtones ect

[Marks]

one of my friends has a 07007******* number can u sell them as golden numbers if they have been used if so ill try and get it off him ;)

[Snapdragon]

Hibs, I understand the 'no chat just links' concept of the sticky but wouldn't it be possible to include something like your 'general explanation of what's usually free & how to use' in the 1st post of the thread, for the newbies like me. Surely this would'nt be clutter, since it only needs to be there once?

Might try applying for some other networks sims then, presumably could be useful to avoid cross network charges, though I'm not sure whether the faffing about changing sims really appeals. Maybe I need some very cheap spare phones!

Thanks everyone for your replies.

[thewizard]

I have said this before, high street retailers sell these sim cards at their RRP which is £9.99 I have worked out that since February I have had £300 worth of sim cards

[flobber]

Not sure about the other sims but the o2 sims come with £2.50 credit, and all you need to do it register via. the 02 website, and then wait a couple of days to get your free credit - there's no need to top up with £10.


That's not the case with the free O2 SIM cards. It is written on the sticker on the card packet: "Please top up by L 10 to activate this SIM".
So it seems that you can't use it without topping up. :(

[mich_city]

That's not the case with the free O2 SIM cards. It is written on the sticker on the card packet: "Please top up by L 10 to activate this SIM".
So it seems that you can't use it without topping up. :(

you do get £2.50 free credit after registering the O2 sims.. you can also download a game (usually £5) a ringtone (£3.50 ish) and a free picture without putting any money on them..

You have to put £10 a month on only if you want the 300 free texts or call time/text combo (can't remember mins exactly) to be credited to your sim every month..

[flobber]

you do get £2.50 free credit after registering the O2 sims.. you can also download a game (usually £5) a ringtone (£3.50 ish) and a free picture without putting any money on them..

You have to put £10 a month on only if you want the 300 free texts or call time/text combo (can't remember mins exactly) to be credited to your sim every month..

But it says clearly that in order to activate that particular SIM (free one) you have to top up by £10, so IMHO it means that it is not possible to use it without topping up by £10.

[mich_city]

But it says clearly that in order to activate that particular SIM (free one) you have to top up by £10, so IMHO it means that it is not possible to use it without topping up by £10.

it does say that on the packet - I have activated numerous cards to use the free £2.50 credit and download the extras.. you only have to put the £10 on to get the 300 messages or 100 any UK network anytime minutes..

There's a leaflet inside the sim pack - has on the front " You're fascinating, clever, popular with GSOH - Put it in writing and you could be £2.50 richer. This is the free credit. You have to claim this within 30 days of registering the sim..

[flobber]

it does say that on the packet - I have activated numerous cards to use the free £2.50 credit and download the extras.. you only have to put the £10 on to get the 300 messages or 100 any UK network anytime minutes..

There's a leaflet inside the sim pack - has on the front " You're fascinating, clever, popular with GSOH - Put it in writing and you could be £2.50 richer. This is the free credit. You have to claim this within 30 days of registering the sim..

Fine, but how do you activate it?

[mich_city]

Fine, but how do you activate it?

4 options -

online: www.o2.co.uk/register (http://www.o2.co.uk/register)

by mail (using the registration form included)

by phone: call free on 21500 and leave details

by text: text 21500 with details. Title, full name, house number & post code eg: MR JOE BLOGGS 23 EN3 9PX (i usually use this method - works fine)

[flobber]

4 options -

online: www.o2.co.uk/register (http://www.o2.co.uk/register)

by mail (using the registration form included)

by phone: call free on 21500 and leave details

by text: text 21500 with details. Title, full name, house number & post code eg: MR JOE BLOGGS 23 EN3 9PX (i usually use this method - works fine)

That's how you register it, but activation seems to be a different process.
The "Hello" leaflet says:
"How do you activate it?
Top-up a minimum of L 10 by calling 4444 FREE from your mobile"

So again it seems that it is not possible to use the mobile without topping up by L 10. :(

The other leaflet you mentioned says:
"To claim the reward, simply register your new mobile within 30 days of activating it".

Thus, it seems that in order to get L 2.50 calling time, one has to activate it first, and in order to activate it, first it must be topped up by L 10. :(

[tomt]

All of my O2 sims say you need to top up by £10 to activate, but I managed to register and activate online at the O2 websites - HOWEVER, whil it said I qualify for £2.50 free bonus credit, it says I must be in credit to use the bonus. To top=up online the minimum amount is £10. Is there a lesser amoutn if you top-up in a shop with the e-top-up card?

[mich_city]

It does become 'active' once you have registered your details...

I guess you should just try it and see if it works...

I have never had to put £10 on to receive or use the free £2.50 credit, thats all I can say.. :confused:

[flobber]

It does become 'active' once you have registered your details...

I guess you should just try it and see if it works...

I have never had to put £10 on to receive or use the free £2.50 credit, thats all I can say.. :confused:

Well, I registered through the web, and so far nothing... I cannot make or receive calls. But perhaps in 48 h something will change. Fingers crossed.

During registration I could read: "Your handset must be in credit in order for you to receive and use your free calltime", and on the next page again:
"Thank you for taking the time to register with O2. Remember, your handset must be in credit in order for you to receive and use your free calltime".