The cheapest PAYG for rare use?

flobber_2

Hi!

I am going to make calls from my mobile very rarely, so what kind of offer would you recommend in such case?

I guess that contracts are not an option for me, because I would have to pay every month for nothing really.

I have seen 3 different PAYG offers, but also some of them seem unsuitable for me, because they want me to use my pre paid minutes every month, otherwise it would expire, and again I would lose money for nothing.

I assume that 10 pounds pre pay would last for me at least for several moths.

I have seen another offer (http://www.mobileworldoffer.co.uk/gumtree/ ), which requires making a call every 90 days, to stay connected.

The best so far seems an offer of '3' Cash Top-up, because they say it does not expire: (http://www.three.co.uk/priceplans/simonly.omp ).
Is there any catch?

Can you recommend something better?

I have my mobile number and SIM card from a company on the continent (contract with them ended, mobile I think is now unlocked).
Is that possible to transfer mobile phone number used on the continent (9 digits) to the UK? Or at least request a similar phone number?

RoCas

Hi flobber,

A few years ago my mum decided she should get a mobile phone for emergencies. She's with Orange on a tariff that matched the Virgin charges - 15p per minute for first 15 minutes each day, then 5p per minute. UK texts are 10p each.

There is no contract and you are just billed by direct debit for the actual calls you make or texts you send at the end of each month.

I don't know if Orange still do this (I have a sneaky feeling they don't) but, if not, Virgin may still have something similar.

I'm afraid I don't know about transferring your number but I'm sure other MSEers will.

redux

Edited

I will not leave advice to someone that has spammed me with loads of PMs about a decision by the MSE team

richardjames73

If you do decide to go with Virgin, calls to other mobile networks will cost you 35p a minute. You may consider fresh from the carphone warehouse, 15p a minute any network anytime and 5p any network texts.

redux

richardjames73 wrote:

If you do decide to go with Virgin, calls to other mobile networks will cost you 35p a minute. .

This is true, but you can use 0871 callthrough numbers to reach mobiles (including foreign ones) for 15p per minute

cube_2

Probably Tesco mobile!

shazziere

redux,what do you mean about using that 087 number for call through?i hva jsjust ordered 2 of the cheap virgin phones.any further cost cutting ideas would be welcomed

redux

If you see the MSE Callchecker, you'll find different ways to save on call charges.

Some use 0844 or 0871 numbers - you call the access number, then dial the destination number, without pressing the Send key. This means the charge for the callthrough number appears on your bill, and they forward the call from the split revenue they receive.

The 0844 numbers may be useful to call mobiles from landlines, and in this case Virgin's tariff is 15p per minute, rather than their 35p to call mobiles on other networks

Red_Dave

Going slightly off topic here, but there's a list of cheapest landline -> various numbers list on SayNoTo0870 which can be found at www.saynoto0870.com/calls.php The cheapest landline -> mobile (weekday) is showing at 5p/min!

As for the original request, I've recently been doing some similar research for my mother-in-law who wants the phone for emergencies only. I figure that Tesco Value is the best deal at 15p/min all networks. Cheaper call prices are available but require the purchase of expiring bundles (see Tesco standard prices).