Cheapest, Longest Expiry for a PAYG SIM?

boredmonkeyman

Hi,

I'm at the end of my Orange contract and have moved to Canada for work. I want to switch my number to a PAYG SIM and keep my number until I return with the lowest cost (I only receive texts from friends/family and use my Canadian phone for calls). I already have my PAC code and now looking for a new network.

So my question is, which SIM would be the best - i.e. cost me the least to keep my number alive until I come back and get a new contract?

So far I have found the best is t-mobile that states on their site, "You must make a connection action at least once every 180 days". Does that mean I need to make a call and have it connect every 180 days, which would cost £1.20 (roaming charge)? Or can I text for 40p?

Are any other networks better?

Thanks,

Boredmonkeyman

KimYeovil

Texting counts. (But would a £2.40 per year cost really prompt you to switch provider??!!!?? I mean, if your new work salary covers the costs of flying to Canada then...:))

Six months seems the norm for most pay as you go tariffs (that are still pay as you go.)

JJ_Egan

My Virgin Mobile sim has gone a year without being used in the past and still works .

jje

boredmonkeyman

KimYeovil wrote: »

Texting counts. (But would a £2.40 per year cost really prompt you to switch provider??!!!?? I mean, if your new work salary covers the costs of flying to Canada then...:))

Six months seems the norm for most pay as you go tariffs (that are still pay as you go.)

If only my new work did pay for flights!! I moved here as I couldn't find decent work in the UK and wanted something new. All the costs are my own unfortunately!

When I moved I still had a year of contract to go, so only now can switch. I just don't want to pay for something I can't use, but 80p per year is fine to keep the number until a potential return to the mother land...:)

Do you know if the credit runs out/expires?

Jon_01

As long as you keep the sim active (as above) the credit never expires.

melipona

Take a look at Ikeas family mobile, whilst you need to make a chargeable transaction every 3 months, this includes a web text which I assume you can do from canada.

boredmonkeyman

Jon_01 wrote: »

As long as you keep the sim active (as above) the credit never expires.

That's great, is that on every network or just t-mobile?

jayme1

boredmonkeyman wrote: »

That's great, is that on every network or just t-mobile?

yes all of them.

boredmonkeyman

melipona wrote: »

Take a look at Ikeas family mobile, whilst you need to make a chargeable transaction every 3 months, this includes a web text which I assume you can do from canada.

I'll check them out, that sounds cheap! And I am cheap.

boredmonkeyman

jayme1 wrote: »

yes all of them.

Cheers. Can't wait to stop paying these Orange bills once and for all!

Thanks for the help everyone!

Graham1

I have noticed that Virgin have changed their T&C (paragraph 8.2h) to say they can expire a PAYG SIM if no call or text is sent for 90 days. It used to be 180 days and most of the other companies still say 180 days in their T&C. As Virgin have had a reputation in the past of not expiring SIMs even if unused for more than 180 days I wonder if this change in their terms means they are not going to be so generous in the future. This might be important for people who keep a mobile for infrequent or emergency use only.