Pay as you go query

urban_fox

I have given my dad a phone with a £5 virgin payg simcard in it. He has not made any calls with it but keeps it in case of an emergency. Virgin don't penalise you if you don't make any calls. Does this apply with the other providers as well?

ManAtHome

They don't penalise you, but tend to switch it off after 3 or 6 months without a call or text made or received (you need to contact them to get ot switched back on, unless they've released the number and bagged your cash...).

Surpised that Virgin don't switch off after some time with no activity.

Tedrick_2

The SIMs have £5 pre-loaded regardless of use, the 6 month disconnection process will only come into effect after the first call or text is performed. So if you've bought it and he's just put it away with no use the credit will be there for good.

espresso

Tedrick wrote:

The SIMs have £5 pre-loaded regardless of use, the 6 month disconnection process will only come into effect after the first call or text is performed. So if you've bought it and he's just put it away with no use the credit will be there for good.

Not true, I have a Virgin SIM which did have credit pre-loaded but it was inactivated due to not being used! If you want to use a phone for emergency use only, simply make a call every few month to check that it still works and to keep it working.