Best SIM deal for emergency use only

DougFlo

Does anybody have any suggestions as to the best SIM PAYG for an elderly relative to use for emergencies only?

We have been caught out with SIMs in the past that become defunct and remove your credit if you do not use them after a certain period of time.

grumbler

I don't know any that don't require at least one chargeable event (text/call) every 180 days.
Either take £1 p.m. contract or set a reminder to send a text or make a call twice a year.

At Orange an incoming call will suffice:

3.4 We will disconnect your Device if during the previous six months, you have not Registered a new Top Up or you have not made chargeable calls from your Device or received incoming calls on your Device. For the avoidance of doubt calls shall include but not be limited to voice calls, data calls and text messaging. On disconnection your mobile telephone number will be reassigned. On Reconnection you will be assigned a new mobile telephone number. Orange may at its discretion, on request and on Reconnection to the Services, recredit the amount remaining on your account at the time it was disconnected.

Network terms and conditions for pay as you go customers - effective from 15 February 2011

DougFlo

Anybody got any specific network suggestions?

essexman77

DougFlo wrote: »

Anybody got any specific network suggestions?

icard mobile free voicemail plus cheap call 6p mobile calls 3p landline calls

grumbler

I think for emergencies the minimum topup is more important than prices per minute/text. AFAIK it's 10p in Orange stores.

horsechestnut

Virgin Mobile credit doesn't run out.
I don't use my phone very often and this was the deciding factor when I went with them.

grumbler

horsechestnut wrote: »

Virgin Mobile credit doesn't run out.

It does. Practice may be different and may depend on your luck, but what theory says is:

You need to use our Services at least once within any 90 day period either by making a chargeable call or sending a text message. If you dont we may suspend your access to the Services and cancel this Agreement. If we cancel this Agreement, you may lose your phone number and any unused Top Up credit on your account

http://www.virginmobile.com/vm/genericContent.do?contentId=our.service.footer.sm068

I think in FAQ they say 180 days, not 90.

this was the deciding factor when I went with them.

I think in the past it was 12 months, but I think it never was like you say.

If, when saying "never runs out" you mean never runs out if you use it sometimes, at least once every 90/180/360 days, then this is the case for all networks, not Virgin only.

Ardo

horsechestnut wrote: »

Virgin Mobile credit doesn't run out.
I don't use my phone very often and this was the deciding factor when I went with them.

In the past Virgin have been very lax about cutting off cards with little or no use. I myself had one for three years and certainly did not make a call or text every 180 days. However, Virgin seem to be enforcing this condition more rigorously now.

I certainly wouldn't bank on it still working after 180 days of inactivity any more.

neil40

Vectone mobile have a £1 per month sim only which sounds perfect for emergency or occansional use.

adindas

Hi Neil

Avoid Vectone Mobile Contract like a plague,it is a dodgy organisation ...
Look at the follwing thread

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/3671181

Look at what other people have said here ...
http://www.rboffers.com/mobile-phone...le-33225.html/
http://mobilenetworkcomparison.co.uk...#comment-22754
http://www.freeindex.co.uk/profile(v...le)_245597.htm

neil40 wrote: »

Vectone mobile have a £1 per month sim only which sounds perfect for emergency or occansional use.

Anastasia

I bought my 80 year old father a cheap Nokia with a Tesco Sim which uses the O2 network. He didn't use it very often and I don't remember him ever topping it up. Worth checking Tesco Ts and Cs.