PAYG Networks...

gt568

I need to buy my dad a PAYG phone...

Is there much difference between networks? I'm a bit of a mobile phone biff and not sure what is the best deal ect...

MTIA:o

anitalg

depends what he is going to do with it. If hes going to chuck it in the car glove box and use it once in a blue moon - not much difference. if hes going to use it loads - the best network woudl depend on whether he calls, texts, who he calls really.

Cavey

The best thing to do is to order a pile of free SIM cards. I have ordered free SIM cards from Orange, Virgin, T-Mobile and O2. Vodafone also offer them.

Virgin give you £1 of credit free. O2 SIMs come pre-registered and work immediately. Orange require you to register the SIM card by phoning an 0800 number. I can't remember what happened with the T-Mobile SIM (I think you have to register again).

Three, however, require a payment of £9.99 and give you £10 of credit with it. While this is almost free, it's not as free as others.

So, if you have access to a landline to make free 0800 calls, you can try most of the major networks for free. For £10 you can try them all.

As for pricing, most are about the same price (in the region of 20p per minute, 10p per text). If you top up an amount comparable to a contract (£15, £20 etc...) per month, they give you bonuses (free texts, free calls etc...). Given each provider has multiple offers at different price points that are liable to change, I wont be summarising them. If memory serves, T-Mobile, Orange and O2 had the more interesting offers.

System

Asda Mobile are 8p per minute and 4p per text to any UK network & landline from the 1st September.They use the Vodafone network which is normally good for coverage also.

Failing that Tesco Mobile, Virgin & Ikea mobile are also competitive.

sealady

Just out of interest, Virgin seem to be have the best deal when it comes to texting South Africa which is currently 20p per text with Pay as you go!

jimgee

sealady wrote: »

Just out of interest, Virgin seem to be have the best deal when it comes to texting South Africa which is currently 20p per text with Pay as you go!

I think Lebara are 10p to text worldwide.

Steve_xx

Ikea charge 16p to text South Africa.

jhp

sealady wrote: »

Just out of interest, Virgin seem to be have the best deal when it comes to texting South Africa which is currently 20p per text with Pay as you go!

I am not sure what Texts to South Africa have got to do with this thread.

But Orange Payg Camel Tariff charge 15p.
http://shop.orange.co.uk/shop/payasyougo

Also from your PC 18185 charge just 1p subject to fair use.
http://www.18185.co.uk/sms.php

d123

With regard international calling, Asda seem to be the most competitive now. From the 1st September all international calls are 20p per minute.

jimgee

d123 wrote: »

With regard international calling, Asda seem to be the most competitive now. From the 1st September all international calls are 20p per minute.

I think Lebara and Nomi PAYG are the cheapest for any international calling or texting:

http://www.nomi-mobile.com/

http://www.lebara-mobile.co.uk/en/

System

jimgee wrote: »

I think Lebara and Nomi PAYG are the cheapest for any international calling or texting:

http://www.nomi-mobile.com/

http://www.lebara-mobile.co.uk/en/

International texts can be cheap on O2 PAYG also.
If you buy their prepay 'International Caller Bolt On' it reduces them to 10p per text.